Are three wives better than one? The history of polygamy | FAYB

Marriage Definition and Legal Implications in Russia In 2020, the Russian Constitution defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This definition excludes not only LGBT individuals but also certain traditional groups like polygamists. Polygamy is illegal in most developed countries; however, it exists in legal gray areas within Russia—formally banned but without sanctions. Efforts by Caucasus peoples to legalize polygamy have failed despite support from figures like Vladimir Zhirinovsky who argued it could address demographic issues.

Religious Perspectives on Polygamy Many leading world religions historically inclined towards polygyny (polygyny being more accurate than the general term 'polygamy'), though they no longer explicitly promote it today. The choice between monogamous and polygamous practices has been influenced by state policies over time.

Biblical Roots of Polygamy Polygamy's origins trace back to early Jewish history, as depicted in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah couldn't have children, so Sarah offered her maid Hagar as a second wife; this led to the birth of Ishmael. Later, God blessed Sarah with Isaac despite Abraham’s polygamous situation. The Old Testament shows that multiple wives were common among Jewish kings like Saul and David.

Evolution of Polygamy Among Jews Over time, societal changes influenced religious practices regarding polygamy among Jews. By the 9th century CE, living alongside monogamous European cultures led many Jewish communities in Northern and Eastern Europe to abandon polygyny by around 1000 CE temporarily for a thousand years until it was permanently banned when Israel became a state in the 20th century.

Christianity's Stance on Monogamy vs Polygyny Christianity adopted values from Judaism but emphasized monogyny based on biblical interpretations focusing on Adam and Eve rather than patriarchs like Abraham who practiced polygyny. Early Christian theologians debated its morality; Augustine saw it compatible with natural law during crises while others noted church canons prohibited it more strictly than scripture itself did.

Protestant Reformation's Impact on Marriage Norms The Protestant Reformation sought to eliminate practices not explicitly stated in the scriptures, leading to a rejection of polygamy laws. Protestants dismissed the Catholic definition of marriage as a sacrament and transformed it into a civil act. This shift laid the groundwork for modern secular marriages conducted at registry offices.

Henry VIII’s Marital Controversies and Anglicanism's Birth King Henry VIII, desperate for a male heir, was advised by Protestant theologians that bigamy was preferable to divorce. Martin Luther supported this view based on Old Testament examples. To facilitate his marital desires without conflict with religious norms or public opinion, Henry established the Church of England with himself as its head—a significant move that led to lasting changes in Christian denominations.

The Push for Polygamy in Medieval Europe In the late 10th century, English monk Martin Maden wrote a comprehensive treatise advocating for the legalization of polygamy. He argued that any man who had relations with a woman should consider himself married to her, defining marriage as a carnal union blessed by divine recognition. This idea sparked intense debates and widespread discussion across London through letters, epigrams, pamphlets, and club disputes.

Monogamy vs Polygamy: Historical Perspectives and Practices Christianity often turns a blind eye to polygamous practices; even some African Catholics engage in it despite traditional Christian monogamic norms. Historically speaking only about 15% of human societies are strictly monogamous while many others practice various forms of polygyny or polyandry due to evolutionary roots from our primate ancestors who were predominantly non-monogamous. The shift towards organized societal structures necessitated changes where single men revolted against monopolized female partners leading ancient states like those governed under Hammurabi's laws allowing multiple wives if one was infertile—contrasting sharply with Greek disdain except among Spartans—and ultimately Romans institutionalizing strict monogamy primarily driven by inheritance concerns rather than moral or religious reasons.

Roman Monogamy and Its Christian Reinforcement Romans were required to have only one spouse, with third-century laws prohibiting polygamy under Roman rule. Violators were deemed dishonorable. The rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire intensified opposition to polygamy, culminating in Emperor Theodosius's outright ban on such practices. This fusion of Roman law and Christian doctrine ensured monogamy's dominance in Europe.

Polygamous Traditions Across Africa In contrast to Europe's monogamous norms, African traditions varied widely but often permitted polygamy due to cultural and economic factors like slavery which skewed gender ratios by removing many men from communities. Today, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most polygamous region globally; even Christians there sometimes practice it due to societal adjustments for gender imbalances.

Pacific Islander Polygyny Practices When Europeans encountered Pacific Islanders practicing extensive polygyny—where a man could have as many wives as he could support—they noted both harmony and conflict within these relationships depending on perspectives: some saw constant quarrels while others observed cooperative dynamics among co-wives who might even help select new partners for their husbands.

'Sacred' Polygyny Among Leaders Throughout History Historical leaders across various cultures practiced 'sacred' or politically motivated forms of polygyny that reinforced their power structures—from Incan emperors unifying tribes through marriage alliances involving multiple wives from conquered peoples—to Germanic chiefs forming political unions via marriages with daughters of neighboring leaders—all contributing significantly towards consolidating empires or large tribal coalitions.

Polygamy and Power Struggles in Medieval Ireland In 10th century Ireland, a king had multiple wives and children. The Catholic Church demanded he keep only one wife to remain king, but the king refused, valuing love over power.

Monogamous Love Disrupts Ottoman Harem Traditions Sultan Suleiman of the Ottoman Empire fell deeply in love with Roxelana, breaking harem traditions by becoming monogamous. This caused scandal as she effectively controlled him and overshadowed other women.

The Rarity and Reasons Behind Polyandry Polyandry, where a woman has multiple husbands, is far less common than polygyny. Only four modern societies consider polyandry normal due to its impact on population growth; it reduces birth rates unlike polygyny which increases them. In Sparta, the focus was on raising strong warriors rather than strict monogamy or traditional family structures.

Cultural Practices of Polyandrous Societies Certain nomadic Eastern societies like the White Huns practiced polyandry with married women wearing horned hats symbolizing their multiple husbands who were often brothers. Among Tibetans and related groups, fraternal polyandry remains prevalent as it prevents land fragmentation in mountainous regions with limited fertile areas by keeping male siblings together under one household.

Polyandry's Resurgence in Southern Himalayas In recent times, polyandry has begun to resurface south of the Himalayas due to a significant gender imbalance favoring males in India. Consequently, related men sometimes share one wife unofficially. As Asia becomes increasingly influential and wealthy, we might witness a renaissance or transformation of marriage institutions.

Book Giveaway on Women's Private Lives in Ancient Russia We are giving away Natalia Pushkaryova’s book 'The Private Life of Women in Ancient Rus' which explores women's roles as wives and mistresses throughout history. To win this book, answer what constitutes a happy marriage with non-generic examples under the pinned comment below the video.

The book release is often associated with Great Britain. A user named Obi proposed a theory about King Arthur, a fictional character who significantly influenced the development and eventual decline of the British Empire. At the end of his comment, Obi expressed an inspiring wish: 'Friends, face your fears and make history.' This was Faip; see you in two weeks with a new video.