Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1862-11-22
How the Ancient Romans Mar
riRd.

ENSus
In these days Of "rapid strides" and still
more rapid marriages there is but one way Of
getting married, and that is, get married as
soon ns you can, But the Romans seem to
have had three different methods Of marrying,
First The Uses marriage, marriage BY usage
or prescription, which was when woman by
consent Of her parents or guardians, lived with
man an entire year-thus she became his
lawful wife by prescription. If she absented
herself from the house three nights during the
year, IL failed to be union. The second was
the CoEFARREATIo This was the most sol
emn form Of marriage. BY woman was
said 10 come into possession or power of her
husband by the sacred laws. By this form
they are Joined in wedlock by the Ranfifer
Marimus, the High Priest in the presence
Of no less than ten witnesses. A part Of the
ceremony was for the bride andgfoom 70 tasts
cake made of salt, water, aud -four called
Far, and hence the name Confarreatio, The
third WAS Cpmptio, which was kind Of mu-
tual purchase The man and women gave
each other piece of money, repeating GER
tain words. The man asked the woman if
she was willing 10 become the mistress of his
family, the answer being in the Affirmative
In like manner the woman interroEated the
man, receiving similar answer Li~t
Thus we have the differed methods of mar
rage among the Romans. Noyoung man or
woman could marry against the consent of
their parents or guardians. After the parties
wishing to be married expressed their desires,
the friends Of the same held meeting, usually
at the house of the woman's father, or nearest
relation, to settle the articles Of the marriage
contract, which were written on tables and
scaled. The name Of this contract was
g,,o,, onlfa aaOooaala. he vnan aN1aunnd u,o,
called the SpoRsus, the woman SpoRsa.--
There was also dowery promised, to be paid
down on the wedding day, or afterwards,
usually at three separate payments On this
occasion, likewise, there was a feast and the
Sponsus gave the Sposa, ring, by way Of
pledge. The ring was worn on the finger
next the last on the left hand, since they be-
lieved that nerve extended from thence 10
the heart, At this time also the day was fixed
for the marriage, and in doing this, care was
taken to select one considered lucky or for
tunate. The most fortunate time was the
middle Of the month of June Finally the
appointed day arrives, and the bride is adorn-
ed with long white robe, bordered with pur-
pie fringe, or embroidered ribbons, which was
bound around the waist with girdle made Of
wool, and tied in knot The brides face
was also covered with ared veil TO denote
her modesty-her hair divided into six locks,
and crowned with Aowers---her shoes of the
same color as her veil. The ceremony always
took place in the evening, and at the house Of
the brides father or nearest relation. ,ai
Before the marriage was celebrated, the
auspices were consulted, and sacrifices offered
to the gods, especially to Juno, the goddess of
wedlock. The sacrifice offered was sheep
of two years of age, and the gall was taken
and I'D.
sion of everything bitter from the proposed
union. The bride was then taken, as it were,
by force, from the arms Of her mother or
nearest relative, indicative, perhaps, of her
sorrow to leave her home, aud conducted to
the house of her husband, She was attended
by three boys, one bearing hambeau of pine
or thorn, in advance of her. Maid servants
followed in advance with distaf, spindle
and wool, intimating that she was to labor at
spinning. A fifth boy, carried In q covered
vase, the brides utensils and playthings fUE
children. A great many relativesand friends
attended the nuptial procession--ans as they
passed along, the boys repeated jests and
raileries. The door and doorposts of the
bridegroom's house were decorated with leaves
and flowers, and the rooms with tapestry
The bride was lifted over the threshold, OF
gently stepped over it 1t was thought omin,
GUS to touch it with her feet, since II was held
sacred to Vesta the goddess of virgins, A
sheepskin was spread out before her, on which
she stepped, when the bridegroom immediate
ly presented her with the keys Of the house
thus showing that the management of the
family was in her hands. Both now touched
FIRE and water, as a symbol Of purity and
nuptual fidelity On this occasion the hus
band gave feast to his relations and friends
and to those of the bride and attendants =
Musicians also attended, who sang the brida
songs.