Strange Historical Dating Customs: What Did Old-World Romance Look Like?

As autumn settles in and Halloween approaches, we often find ourselves drawn to the mysteries of the past. Ancient rituals, strange customs, and old-world tales are captivating and curious, especially when it comes to love. While today we may swipe through dating apps or text our crushes, people in ancient times had their own unique ways of forming relationships. Let’s journey through some historical dating practices, exploring how people once pursued romance, from the Neolithic era to ancient Rome.

Neolithic Era: Practical Unions for Survival

In the Neolithic era, dating and marriage were practical affairs, centered on survival. The spread of agriculture made it possible to amass wealth through bountiful harvests, which, in turn, made certain individuals more attractive as mates. As agricultural communities developed, so did social hierarchies and the early notion of marriage. Ritualized weddings often took place at sacred stone circles, where couples would swear oaths, their promises cemented by blessings from the stones. An incredible testament to these early relationships was unearthed in 2007, when archaeologists discovered two Neolithic skeletons in Italy, locked in an embrace for thousands of years—a beautiful, eternal symbol of affection.

Ancient Egypt: Love, Magic, and Divine Intervention

In Ancient Egypt, love and romance were heavily entwined with magic and spiritual rituals. Archaeologists have found texts, such as the “Handbook of Ritual Power,” which offers spells for everything from love charms to exorcisms. One particular spell involved driving nails into a doorpost to win someone’s affection. Egyptians took love seriously, often incorporating love potions and wearing amulets believed to enhance their allure. These ancient spells reveal a civilization that saw love not only as an emotion but also as a force to be influenced by divine or mystical powers.

Ancient Greece: Marriage as Civic Duty

Similarly, ancient Greeks took a practical approach to marriage, focusing more on civic duty and procreation than on romance. For the people of Athens, marriage was seen as a way to produce future citizens, so families arranged marriages that served social and political interests. However, love found its place in other ways. Spartan society took this focus on duty a step further. In Sparta, a groom might “capture” his bride and keep her at a distance until she bore him children. Even in these duty-bound cultures, we can find glimpses of affection and partnership; Spartan men were known to choose mates who they felt could produce resilient offspring.

Celtic Traditions: Matchmaking and Love Games

Moving from the Mediterranean to Celtic lands, ancient Celtic traditions in Ireland revolved around matchmaking and family ties. Matchmaking was serious business, as marriage often served to forge alliances between clans. Even today, Lisdoonvarna, Ireland, hosts a matchmaking festival that speaks to these deep-rooted customs. Apple bobbing, a playful activity associated with Halloween, has its origins in Celtic love games. Young women would bob for apples in hopes of finding their future spouse’s initial hidden in the shape of the apple peel. The Celts also believed in divine love spells, often invoking the goddess Brigid to bless marriages with fertility and prosperity.

Roman Love: Passion and Pragmatism

For the Romans, love and marriage were a complex mix of passion and pragmatism. Roman poets like Catullus left behind verses that hint at a deeply personal and often turbulent view of love. Roman society held marriage in high regard as a social institution, but also celebrated romance in its own right. Roman marriage contracts were practical, emphasizing mutual respect and ensuring both parties' rights were clearly defined. Marriage in Rome blended ideals of beauty, devotion, and practicality.

The Timeless Quest for Love

Throughout history, love has taken on many forms. From the mystical rituals of ancient Egypt to the pragmatic unions of the Greeks, and from the Celtic matchmaking games to the Roman poetry of love, we see that while customs vary, the human desire for connection remains constant. This October, as you celebrate the season of mystery, think of these ancient traditions and remember that while dating may have changed over the centuries, the timeless quest for love is one we share with our ancestors.