March
03
/ 2017
The use of engagement rings and wedding rings are common in Western culture to indicate a person’s relationship status. This tradition may be traced back to ancient times, in particular, to the Roman period. Whilst these rings have their origins in either ancient Egypt or ancient Greece, it was under the Romans that detailed legal requirements for engagements, weddings, and divorce were first instituted. Therefore, we have an idea of how wedding rings functioned in ancient Rome, and how they fit into the customs of that society. Legalities of Roman Marriage and Engagement Rings In ancient Rome, a marriage would have been called justae nuptiae, justum matrionium or ligitimum matrimonium. Marriages had to conform to Roman law. The term connubium
