Marriage

Marriage was the most important institution in Byzantium that regulated partnership between people of different sex and legitimized their offspring.

Women of that time did not have the freedom to choose their own spouse, as their father made all the decisions. Often, however, the business of finding a suitable partner was undertaken by male or female matchmakers, who received a fee for their services.

According to Byzantine law marriage could take place when the woman had reached twelve years of age and the man fourteen, though many parents married their children younger.

Initially only civil marriage was considered valid, but from the 9^th century onwards all unions had to be blessed by the Church. In order for two people to get married they had to be of the same religion and denomination, and come from the same social and financial background. Although up to three marriages were permitted, the Byzantines only regarded the first as impeccable.

During the engagement ceremony, which was sacred, dowry contracts were drawn up and a ring or even a kiss were exchanged by the two parties. Marriage followed after an interval of no more than two years.

Once a date was set, invitations went out and it was time to celebrate pastopigion, a custom closely resembling the present day Greek tradition of “making up the bride’s bed”. The couple dressed in fine clothing and were well groomed. Guests were expected to be similarly well dressed, avoiding the use of black. Musicians playing wedding songs accompanied well-wishers and the couple on the procession out to the church and back to the groom’s house, where the wedding party took place.

As for the royal family, finding a suitable bride for the king or heir was one of the palace’s main concerns. In fact the most appropriate partner was selected by means of unannounced “bridal pageants” at the palace. Royal weddings were not subject to the restrictions applying to other members of Byzantine society and were, quite naturally, celebrated with great pomp and circumstance.

Finally, it should be noted that divorce was relatively common in Byzantine times, despite being opposed by the Church.

1. Καθημερινή ζωή στο Βυζάντιο, Athens, 2002

2. Γκιρτζή, Μ., Γαμήλιες πρακτικές και η θέση της γυναίκας στο γάμο στο Βυζάντιο, 2009

3. Κουκουλές Φ., Βυζαντινών Βίος και Πολιτισμός, Παπαζήση, Athens, 1954

4. Meyendorff, J., Christian Marriage in Byzantium: The Canonical and Liturgical Tradition, 1990

5. Μουτζάλη, Α., Ο ρόλος των γυναικών στο Βυζάντιο, 1998

6. Walker, A., ‘Marriage: Wife and Husband; A Golden Team’ in Byzantine Women and Their World, Cambridge University Press

7. ‘Ο κύκλος της ζωής στα έθιμα των Βυζαντινών’ in Ψηφίδες του Βυζαντίου