| In the ancient Greek society, marriage was | | | | bride's home with a procession of friends, |
| regarded as an auspicious relationship. | | | | relatives and family members. Drums are |
| Marriage was very important to carry family | | | | played and crackers are burst to ward away |
| chain. | | | | evil spirit spirits. Music and dance plays a |
| | | | major role in the festivities. Bride and the |
| In the Greek culture, every respectable woman | | | | groom wear a crown or garland to mark the |
| became a wife if she could. In marriage, | | | | occasion. |
| there was hardly room for choice. Destiny | | | | |
| played an important role in solemnizing | | | | The actual transfer of the bride from father |
| marriage. | | | | to groom takes place at night after the |
| | | | bridal banquet. |
| Woman had no alternate than marriage. The | | | | |
| sacred wedding rituals were interwoven by the | | | | After the great feast the procession in a |
| various ceremonies. These ceremonies had | | | | chariot takes place from the home of the |
| ritual meaning and overlapping rites. | | | | bride to the home of the groom. Bride stands |
| | | | in the cart as her husband mounts it in |
| There is great evidence for these | | | | preparation for their journey. Families |
| formalities, both literary and artistic, | | | | follow the chariot by foot bearing gifts. |
| which helps to provide a complete account of | | | | Bride's mother carries the torch in the |
| Greek customs. | | | | journey at night to light the way. |
| | | | |
| Offerings, dedications and sacrifices were | | | | Bride eats an apple as a part of the |
| made by the bride and the groom. Marriage | | | | incorporation rites which demonstrates her |
| consisted of a private contract where woman | | | | new union with her husband. Fruits and nuts |
| was transferred to her husband. Marriage | | | | are showered on the couple which acts as |
| consisted of transfer and transformation. | | | | agents of fertility and prosperity. |
| | | | |
| Transformation means actually giving the | | | | One day the after the marriage, an outdoor |
| responsibility of the woman. Many things | | | | procession of people is held. |
| pointed towards her transformation like | | | | |
| cutting of hair and offering them to virgin | | | | It is called the Epaulia. It is an outdoor |
| deities. Presenting the hair locks to the | | | | procession of people who brings gifts. Gifts |
| goddess often signifies the attainment of | | | | generally include vases filled with greenery, |
| womanhood. | | | | baskets, pots, furniture, jewelry and combs. |
| | | | |
| Greek society stresses upon the marriage of a | | | | Athenian marriage is relationship between a |
| girl at the age of fourteen. Boys are found | | | | man and a woman who had the primary goal of |
| eligible at the age of thirty after they have | | | | producing children and maintaining the |
| served military force. Girls are obliged to | | | | identity of the social and political |
| marry where their father wants. | | | | community. |
| | | | |
| Various types of rituals are followed in the | | | | In ancient Sparta, the ceremony was very |
| marriage ceremony. Both the bride and groom | | | | simple. After a tussle, to prove his superior |
| take bath in the holy spring. On the wedding | | | | strength, the groom would toss his bride over |
| day, girl is dressed in the traditional | | | | his shoulder and carried her off. |
| attire. She is taken in veil to the banquet | | | | |
| hall. She is accompanied by her friends and | | | | Slaves in the ancient Greek culture cannot |
| relatives. | | | | marry because marriage was considered only |
| | | | for the privileged class. |
| Groom attires in the best outfit reaches the | | | | |