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