| Show HOW ROMAN COUR enli prospective wife had nothing to ro do with the match though accorded high position when a boy had completed his studies and had reached the age ot of perhaps twenty five or thirty it was his duty to marry after deciding upon a lady whom he thought suitable to be his wife he arranged the b be th rothal with her father as the anaid en was usually too young to be consulted in the matter and furthermore roman women aomen were always un under d guardianship the marriage ceremonies began with the feast and sacrifices in the house of the brides father in the evening a procession of youths torch bearers musicians and guests escorted the bride to her future home where the groom carefully lifted her over the threshold as aa it was an ill omen tor for her to touch the sill all with her toot foot in case the wedding was wag of the ancient sacred form termed the newly married pair after entering the house ate together a sacred cake in the presence of ten witnesses and of the chief pontiff and priest of jupiter the he miltn ceremonies of the evening ended with a bridal song by the guests and on the h following 1 g day the husband gave a marriage b w feast to his hia friends though T 0 u g early custom placed the wife in the pow er of her husband she went freely into society attended the theaters and public games taught her children and sometimes aided her husband in his political career her position as mistress of the household commanded respect from government and society exchange |
