The relief depicts a Roman wedding: the scene is the joining of right hands. The woman in the middle is the pronuba (like Juno). Do you think the sculptor made the couple's faces expressive of something, even if not an emotion? Maybe an ideal mindset --- the ideal of whatever brides and grooms were supposed to be thinking? I can't say.Take a look at this reenactment. I think the bride could have used sunglasses!
But this, on the other hand, is not a reenactment!
I apologize that this source for info on Roman marriage is old (1875!), but at least it's thorough. The article opens with an overview of the legal aspects and types of Roman marriage, and the last third or so is a generalized reconstruction of a marriage ceremony (that part's the most interesting reading). Make sure you note the second-to-last paragraph (which is a disclaimer, to the effect that the author is making educated guesses).
But this, on the other hand, is not a reenactment!
I apologize that this source for info on Roman marriage is old (1875!), but at least it's thorough. The article opens with an overview of the legal aspects and types of Roman marriage, and the last third or so is a generalized reconstruction of a marriage ceremony (that part's the most interesting reading). Make sure you note the second-to-last paragraph (which is a disclaimer, to the effect that the author is making educated guesses).
1 comment:
ok, why was such a young girl marrying such an old guy? weren't couples betrothed at birth to someone born at about the same time?
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