Who invented marriage?

This is a spin off from the 'relationships' thread. I would genuinely like to know who invented marriage.

Who were the first couple to get married?

Was it Adam & Eve - was marriage there right from the start?

What about people in other parts of the world to whom Christianity hadn't reached? I assume they were doing it!!

Re: Who invented marriage?

I really have no idea, but I do know I've been happily married for over 54yrs and never regretted a single day.
I imaging it first came about when a man laid claim to his selected woman and woe betide any other male with desires for her. . . with these chains I thee wed LOL!

Re: Who invented marriage?

I think many people and societies have had a form of binding commitment ceremony...and maybe "marriage" was just another label for it? I think its always been there since time began, it just happened in different ways....interesting topic. I haven't thought about it!

Re: Who invented marriage?

Interesting question.

Making and agreeing to following a set of principles in front of a group of others so that everyone is aware of one's status is one thing and could be as old as the hills.

Somewhere along the line it entered the realm of legal obligations. Wonder when that happened?

Re: Who invented marriage?

What I find interesting as well, is that it is always changing....(just following from your legality thoughts) for example, same sex marriage is a fairly recent change....so that committed couples in a same sex relationship have the same rights as a heterosexual couple.

Re: Who invented marriage?

I wait with bated breath for responses Carol

Re: Who invented marriage?

Hi

Ni idea at all Carol

It is a marvellous idea however and something which I wanted.

The lady had other ideas, it was something you abandoned when you found something better.

Re: Who invented marriage?

My guess is that the powers that be are instrumental (via determining laws) in setting or deciding what is "morally" acceptable.

As such, they do have to move with the times once there is a critical mass of generic acceptance.

Re: Who invented marriage?

The first recorded evidence of marriage ceremonies uniting a man and a woman dates back to approximately 2350 BC, in ancient Mesopotamia (Middle East).

https://theweek.com/articles/528746/origins-marriage

Re: Who invented marriage?

And you need a certificate, which proves you have to be certified to be married