Customs: Roman Marriage

Question 1

What form of marriage included a fictitious sale of the bride?

Answer 1

coemptio

Question 2

What form of marriage was for plebeians?

Answer 2

usus

Question 3

What form of marriage was the most elaborate and religious marriage?

Answer 3

confarreatio

Question 4

On what day was the Matronalia?

Answer 4

March 1st

Question 5

hymenaeus

Answer 5

marriage hymn (also the god of marriage)

Question 6

sponsalia

Answer 6

betrothal

Question 7

vittae

Answer 7

ribbons used to tie up a bride’s six locks

Question 8

deductio

Answer 8

taking of the bride to the house of the husband

Question 9

How many witness were required for a coemptio?

Answer 9

5

Question 10

What is the root of the name of confarreatio?

Answer 10

far is the spelt on the cake

Question 11

flammeum

Answer 11

saffron veil worn by a bride

Question 12

anulus

Answer 12

ring

Question 13

dextrarum iunctio

Answer 13

“joining of the right hands” of the bride and groom

Question 14

dos

Answer 14

dowry

Question 15

What form of marriage was not considered iustae nuptiae (a just/legal marriage)?

Answer 15

usus

Question 16

What three days were considered unlucky for marriage since the gates of the Underworld were open?

Answer 16

August 24th, October 5th, & November 8th

Question 17

True or False: Divorce never happened in Ancient Rome?

Answer 17

False; divorce didn’t happen early in Rome’s history, but was very prevalent by the time Augustus ruled.

Question 18

When would attendees of a wedding should feliciter during a confarreatio?

Answer 18

during the deductio

Question 19

What color was the flammeum?

Answer 19

saffron

Question 20

At what ages were “men” & “women” to be married in Ancient Roman society?

Answer 20

Men: 14
Women: 12

Question 21

Who would promise a maiden to her sponsus (fiancé)?

Answer 21

Her pater familias

Question 22

tunica recta

Answer 22

wedding dress

Question 23

pronuba

Answer 23

matron of honor

Question 24

What entire month was considered unlucky for marriage?

Answer 24

May (& half of June)

Question 25

When would attendees honor Talassius with **versus Fescennini**, which were essentially lascivious poems, during a **confarreatio**?

Answer 25

during the **deductio**

Question 26

**Matronalia**

Answer 26

Mother's Day (and Wives' Day too)

Question 27

**cena nuptialis**

Answer 27

wedding feast

Question 28

**cumera**

Answer 28

covered basket with utensils

Question 29

How many witness were required for a **confarreatio**?

Answer 29

10

Question 30

What Latin quote would the bride say to her groom after he carried her over the threshold of the bride's home?

Answer 30

**Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia** (When you are Gaius, I am Gaia)

Question 31

A **camillus** had to be **patrimus et matrimus**. What does that mean?

Answer 31

Both parents were still living

Question 32

Who would carry the **cumera** at a **confarreatio**?

Answer 32

the **camillus**

Question 33

**mustaceum**

Answer 33

wedding cake

Question 34

What three days of each month were considerd unlucky for marriage?

Answer 34

Kalends, Nones, & Ides (and the days after each)