Love makes the world go 'round - and has since Adam and Eve started it all.
A Brief and Breezy History of Love and Romance
We know many details of courtship and marriage from ancient India, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Marriages were often arranged for financial or political reasons and women had few - if any - rights. But, times have changed - really.
The fantasy of romance has always existed in one form or another. Poets and musicians composed romantic stories and ballads and the idea of romantic love has continued to grow for thousands of years.
St. Valentine
There are numerous stories and legends about the origins of Valentine's Day. The most commonly told involves a priest in ancient Rome.
Emperor Claudius II found it increasingly difficult to recruit soldiers for his many military campaigns. He blamed this on the attachment of young men to their families - including wives and children. It seems they would rather stay home with loved ones than go fight a war someplace. So, the Emperor outlawed marriage. He reasoned that men would be more willing to join his armies if they had no wives and families.
The desire of men and women to marry did not diminish, however. Priests, supposedly including one named Valentine, secretly married couples. Alas, poor Valentine was caught and brutally executed on February 14 - which also happened to be the feast of the Roman goddess Juno, queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Over the next several centuries that date gradually changed from a feast day for Juno to a day to honor Valentine - who became St. Valentine, patron saint of lovers.
The Middle-Ages and Beyond
Romantic love and courtly romance became popular during the middle ages, with knights and round tables and chivalry and such. We still enjoy the Arthurian legends and many semi-historical romance novels.
Later, during the Puritan and Victorian eras, overt shows of love and romance were restricted and much of what we would call "courting" was done by letters, poetry, or through intermediaries. Chaperones were required whenever unmarried men and women would be together, and there was little privacy before marriage.
In the modern world, there seem to be few rules and regulations regarding romance and courtship. But romance is not dead - TV, movies, books, the Internet, and music seem to be obsessed with love, romance, and relationships in one form or another.
Romance or Science?
Many of us believe that there is that one special person for us, or that we will experience love at first sight, or that we will be swept off our feet. Scientists have come up with other explanations for our romantic inclinations.
Researchers say there are chemicals in our bodies that affect the way we feel and express romance and love.
- Testosterone is a strong chemical that triggers sexual attraction in both men and women.
- Dopamine, adrenaline, and a few more undesirable drugs such as cocaine, increase heart rate (pitter pat) and feelings of attraction.
- Oxytocin is a hormone which is released during childbirth and nursing, and may be a factor in forming long-term attachments.
So, according to modern science, romance may be largely a matter of which chemicals exist in what quantities in your body. But, scientists may not know everything.
Is It Really Love?
Whether it is fantasy, chemicals, logic, or arranged by others, love is probably whatever you want it to be. Celebrate the Day of St. Valentine with those you love.
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