Marriage In Ancient Greece

In the ancient Greek society, marriage was regardedhome with a procession of friends, relatives and family
as an auspicious relationship. Marriage was verymembers. Drums are played and crackers are burst to
important to carry family chain.ward away evil spirit spirits. Music and dance plays a
In the Greek culture, every respectable womanmajor role in the festivities. Bride and the groom wear
became a wife if she could. In marriage, there wasa crown or garland to mark the occasion.
hardly room for choice. Destiny played an importantThe actual transfer of the bride from father to groom
role in solemnizing marriage.takes place at night after the bridal banquet.
Woman had no alternate than marriage. The sacredAfter the great feast the procession in a chariot takes
wedding rituals were interwoven by the variousplace from the home of the bride to the home of the
ceremonies. These ceremonies had ritual meaning andgroom. Bride stands in the cart as her husband mounts
overlapping rites.it in preparation for their journey. Families follow the
There is great evidence for these formalities, bothchariot by foot bearing gifts. Bride's mother carries the
literary and artistic, which helps to provide a completetorch in the journey at night to light the way.
account of Greek customs.Bride eats an apple as a part of the incorporation rites
Offerings, dedications and sacrifices were made bywhich demonstrates her new union with her husband.
the bride and the groom. Marriage consisted of aFruits and nuts are showered on the couple which
private contract where woman was transferred to heracts as agents of fertility and prosperity.
husband. Marriage consisted of transfer andOne day the after the marriage, an outdoor procession
transformation.of people is held.
Transformation means actually giving the responsibilityIt is called the Epaulia. It is an outdoor procession of
of the woman. Many things pointed towards herpeople who brings gifts. Gifts generally include vases
transformation like cutting of hair and offering them tofilled with greenery, baskets, pots, furniture, jewelry and
virgin deities. Presenting the hair locks to the goddesscombs.
often signifies the attainment of womanhood.Athenian marriage is relationship between a man and a
Greek society stresses upon the marriage of a girl atwoman who had the primary goal of producing
the age of fourteen. Boys are found eligible at the agechildren and maintaining the identity of the social and
of thirty after they have served military force. Girls arepolitical community.
obliged to marry where their father wants.In ancient Sparta, the ceremony was very simple.
Various types of rituals are followed in the marriageAfter a tussle, to prove his superior strength, the
ceremony. Both the bride and groom take bath in thegroom would toss his bride over his shoulder and
holy spring. On the wedding day, girl is dressed in thecarried her off.
traditional attire. She is taken in veil to the banquet hall.Slaves in the ancient Greek culture cannot marry
She is accompanied by her friends and relatives.because marriage was considered only for the
Groom attires in the best outfit reaches the bride'sprivileged class.