The Purpose of Marriage in Ancient Roman and Modern American Society

When you think of a wedding you probably picture a woman in a beautiful white gown and hear the wedding march, but what do people of other times and cultures envision? Although some basic qualities span across societies, every culture harbors individual beliefs and expectations concerning many aspects of marriage. Basic aspects of the marriage customs of several cultures such as the betrothal, the wedding ceremony, and the actual institution of marriage, reflect a society's perception of the purpose of marriage. The people of ancient Rome had specific views and standards about marriage tha…