Nuptial Relations through the Filter of Barbaric Laws
Nuptial Relations through the Filter of Barbaric Laws

Summary/Abstract: Aim of the study is to analyse the importance of marriage in the Germanic world, generally speaking, and in the Germanic barbarian states, exceptionally speaking. In order to highlight the features of the institution of marriage, I have used the texts of the barbaric laws of the Burgundians, Franks, Longobards and Visigoths as my primary source. Apart from archaeological discoveries, these legislative codes are the most important historical source for the period between the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the formation of the Germanic kingdoms, and represent a historical legacy of the Old Germanic world. In this paper we aim to point out the relationships between social/marital actors, legal guardian, husband, wife, regulated by the Germanic legislative codes, instruments of the central power. At the same time, we will touch on issues such as betrothal, bride price, marriage, forbidden marriages, divorce, repudiation, remarriage, adultery, etc., and the legal framework that sets and imposes certain limits. At the same time, we will try to outline, by analysing the laws, the ideal marriage, but also the potential loopholes or situations that deviate from legal and moral norms.

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