2006-09-19 05:22:10 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. So to assure quality soldiers, he banned marriage.
Valentine, a bishop , seeing the trauma of young lovers, met them in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. Claudius learned of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested. The emperor, impressed with the young priest's dignity and conviction, attempted to convert him to the roman gods, to save him from certain execution. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully.
On February 24, 270, Valentine was executed.
2006-09-19 14:46:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
While in the army, the solider was not allowed to marry, but many had girlfriends in settlements near their fort or base camp Claudius felt that married men made poor soldiers, so he banned marriage from the empire.
But, regardless of this decree St. Valentine openly defied the Emperor's demand by marrying off young couples. His actions were considered to defy the law and when Claudius found out about it he was going to convert Valentine to paganism. But, instead Valentine was imprisoned and beheaded on February 14, 270 A.D.
2006-09-19 18:59:25 · answer #2 · answered by samanthajanecaroline 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe this was a law long before the time of Claudius.
For instance, in the series "Rome", which is set during the Gallic Wars and the rise of Julius Caesar, it is mentioned that the soldiers cannot marry. (For dramatic purposes, they have one of the soldiers be married, but that never would have happened.)
The notoriously strict Roman army probably would have wanted their men focused on war alone. But there was also the practical consideration that they were gone for many years at a time, and having a wife back in Rome or the provinces wasn't good for anyone.
2006-09-19 13:32:13 · answer #3 · answered by Koko Nut 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not sure who the Emperor was, but yes, a Roman Emperor did outlaw marriage. Men with wives and children were less willing to go to war, spend time away from home to train etc.
Legend has it that this is the source of St. Valentine. Soldiers and their loves would go to a priest by the name of Valentine to get married in secret. The authorities found out, jailed and then executed Valentine.
2006-09-19 13:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I also have read that. The soldiers couldn't get married but I can't recall why that was. But guessing, maybe he wanted them focused on the war and keeping information among themselves - at least these two reasons where the ones they gave nurses in the World War I, also banning them from getting married!
Go figure!
2006-09-19 12:34:59 · answer #5 · answered by cifurtrue 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think he did, and the reason would have been that he wanted all of the women to himself. Men are selfish like that sometimes.
2006-09-19 12:29:48 · answer #6 · answered by Andrea 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋