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You are here: Home / Language / How Did Divorce Originate and How Did the Terms of Divorce Evolve Through History?

How Did Divorce Originate and How Did the Terms of Divorce Evolve Through History?

July 16, 2020 by Karen Hill

Divorce to the Athenians and Romans was allowed whenever a man’s like turned to dislike.

In the seventh century it was recorded that Anglo-Saxon men could divorce a wife who was barren, rude, oversexed, silly, habitually drunk, overweight, or quarrelsome.

Throughout history, in societies where men were paid dowries, divorce favored the husband.

However, in matrilineal societies where the woman was esteemed, mutual consent was required.

The word alimony means “nourishment.”

The ancient Athenians liberally allowed divorce, but the person requesting divorce had to submit the request to a magistrate, and the magistrate could decide whether the reasons given were adequate.

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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