Contact: Heath Shackleford
Couples marrying today may recite traditional wedding vows or write their own, but in the beginning, it was as simple as "Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia."
Used during weddings in ancient Rome, the phrase translates: "Where you are, there am I." According to Robert Wolverton Sr. of Mississippi State University, it is only one of many wedding traditions Americans have borrowed from the Romans.
"The leaders of the Christian church borrowed the notion of marriage and the wedding ceremony," the professor of classics said. "Instead of creating new traditions people wouldn't understand, they incorporated Roman marriage traditions into Christian beliefs."
Wolverton said there are few differences in contemporary and ancient wedding ceremonies. Much as today, Romans had two parts to the wedding ceremony. The first was the formal engagement or betrothal ceremony, in which vows were exchanged before witnesses and an auspex or priest. It was followed by a party or celebration which lasted until the evening.
Much of the Roman ceremonies honored Juno, the queen of the Roman gods. The month of June, which is named for her, continues to be the most popular month for marriage today.
Also, the bride received a "ring" as an engagement gift from the groom. It was placed on the third finger of the left hand because of an old Egyptian belief that a delicate nerve began in the ring finger and ran straight to the heart, Wolverton said.
"We have made a few adjustments in ceremony over the course of time, but mainly we have just made it all more elaborate," he added.
For instance, in Rome nuts were thrown at the bride and groom instead of rice to wish fertility and happiness. Instead of dressing in white, brides wore a yellowish tunic, called a palla, with matching shoes and a wreath of orange blossoms on their head.
Finally, there was no "honeymoon" as it is known today. Instead, the ceremonies concluded with flute players and torch bearers leading a procession to the couple's new home. There, the crowd waited until the groom carried his wife over the threshold before dispersing to their own homes.