Changes

Historical information from Greek and Roman societies shows that both had strict rules about monogamy being the only form of marriage, although it was common practice to accept concubines for men and other forms of relationships, usually permissible only for men. In Greek societies, marriage was also an expectation, where the relationship had to be monogamous. However, here we also see that society allowed other relationships to be formed for men, including having concubines or even homosexual relationships. In effect, sexual preference and marriage were sometimes separated for men. In fact, in Greek society children from concubines could be made legitimate if the wife gave consent. Marriage in Greece and Rome was used to unionize families rather than developed as a standard for sexual behavior for men. This meant that marriage was often arranged, although a man could win his wife in competition. In most cases we see from early historical Europe is these societies were patrilineal and patrilocal, where households would be headed by a man and the wife was expected to live in the husband's household. Marriage was seen as a social practice that supported public interest, specifically continuing society and raising children, rather than a romantic pursuit(Figure 1). Adultery could lead to divorce or even punishment. Adultery was defined as a man having sex with another man's wife. Punishment was often carried out by the husband or father.<ref>For more on Greek and Roman marriage and law, which later influenced Christian and European marriage views, see: Beryl Rawson (ed.) (2011) <i>A companion to families in the Greek and Roman worlds</i>. Blackwell companions to the ancient world. Literature and culture. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K. ; Malden, MA, Wiley-Blackwell.</ref>

In other parts of Europe, particularly Celtic regions, where the Brehon Law documents this social pattern, marriage was polygamous and monogamous. Women tended to have more choice and rights for selection of partners relative to Greek and Roman societies, where often it was the families who decided. However, there was also strong family pressure on the spouses. Celts may have been one of the few European societies to also allow multiple husbands for a woman, as this seems to be suggested in cases given that there was more choice on marital patterns in Celtic societies. Homosexual marriages do not seem to have occurred or at least were not documented. Interesting Interestingly, law governed polygamous marriage. For instance, some Celtic law may have allowed the first wife to murder the second after the first few days of marriage, where the only punishment would be a fine. Marriage was also more of a civil matter than one that incorporated religion. There was also no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, as all had rights to inherit if the parents agreed to this. Divorce also seemed to be easily obtained where one spouse could simply just leave to initiate the end of the marriage.<ref>For more on Celtic marriages, see: Dougherty, M.J. (2015) <i>Celts: the history and legacy of one of the oldest cultures in Europe</i>. London, United Kingdom, Amber Books.</ref> [[File:Sarcophagus Marcus Cornelius Statius Louvre Ma659 n1.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 1. Marriage was seen as an important obligation in Greek and Roman society.]]