There were three requirements that needed to be met for a Roman marriage to be legally valid: legal capacity – conubium; age – puberty; the consent of relevant parties (Gardner 1998, 31). There had to be no legal prohibitions in order for a marriage to be valid. Marriage between blood related family members was prohibited. For example, parents could not marry their children nor could siblings marry each other (Gaius Institutes I.59) . Marriage between step-siblings and a marriage between an adopted child with his or her sibling (as long as one is emancipated and they are no longer legally related) was permitted (Gaius Institutes I.61) . But, an adopted son could not marry the wife of his adopted father even if he was emancipated because she is his step mother (Paulus D.23.2.14) . These are only a handful of examples of prohibited marriages.
…show more content…
Girls usually were eligible for marriage at the age of twelve. “A girl married when she was less than twelve years old will be a legitimate wife at the time when she has completed her twelfth year at her husband’s home” (Pomponius D.23.2.4) . Girls married before their twelfth birthday were legally called fiancée until they were of age (Treggiari 1991, 41). Menstruation was a sign of puberty for girls; however, when it began varied for each girl (Treggiari 1991, 40). It seemed to be the norm for girls to be married off soon after the beginning of their
Girls usually were eligible for marriage at the age of twelve. “A girl married when she was less than twelve years old will be a legitimate wife at the time when she has completed her twelfth year at her husband’s home” (Pomponius D.23.2.4) . Girls married before their twelfth birthday were legally called fiancée until they were of age (Treggiari 1991, 41). Menstruation was a sign of puberty for girls; however, when it began varied for each girl (Treggiari 1991, 40). It seemed to be the norm for girls to be married off soon after the beginning of their