Any truth to that? I wonder what the common age of the males were that were marrying 12 year olds?
Yes, this is according to Roman legislation.
In Christian times, women married after puberty - so 14 above. Thus, a woman spent her best fertile years in marriage and not being a thot.
Men married 18-30, mostly in their 20's. This was because men were expected to be well established and to be able to support the household.
The idea about mutual consent has a Christian origin that became more prevalent after 4th c. Nobody before that cared what women thought and marriages were arranged between the men of the families. Child marriages became less common too and the age of marriage of women was raised a bit, especially compared to pagan societies.
Consent is a modern concept.
Yes, this is according to Roman legislation.
In Christian times, women married after puberty - so 14 above. Thus, a woman spent her best fertile years in marriage and not being a thot.
Men married 18-30, mostly in their 20's. This was because men were expected to be well established and to be able to support the household.
The idea about mutual consent has a Christian origin that became more prevalent after 4th c. Nobody before that cared what women thought and marriages were arranged between the men of the families. Child marriages became less common too and the age of marriage of women was raised a bit, especially compared to pagan societies.