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There is a myth that Claudius Gothicus (or Claudius II, reigned 268-270) banned marriages which is connected to a legend about the origin of Valentine's Day
It has been alleged that Claudius II banned marriages because too many people were dogging the draft. Only single men had to join the army. Valentinus, a Christian priest, was caught performing secret marriages. He was sentenced to death and executed on 14th February 269. While he was awaiting execution, young lovers sent him massages about how love is better than war.
This story is highly unlikely. It would be very difficult to forbid everybody from getting married and it does not make sense as marriage had been seen as fundamental to society in every society in history. Moreover, military service was voluntary and the poor joined the army because it gave them a career and pay for 20 years and a pension in the form of the grant of a plot of land to farm or a considerable lump sum. There is no need to Dodge military service if it is voluntary and, in additions to this, there are economic incentives in a military career. Furthermore, Claudius Gothicus spent his very short reign fighting incursions into the Empire by the Goths- hence the name Gothicus, which means winner against the Goths. He would have been too busy with war to pursue the alleged policy.
Valentine's Day was established later, in 469 by emperor Gelasius. He established a holy day in honour of Valenitus to replace the pagan fertility rites of the Lupercalia and of Juno Fructifier which were very popular among the Romans
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What Roman Emperor ordered St Valentine to death?
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus needed to raise an army and he could not draft married men. To solve the problem he ordered that all marriage ceremonies be stopped. Valentine continued to marry betroted couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested, tortured and beheaded.
What does the Roman Emperor Claudius II have to do with Valentine's Day?
Saint Valentine was a priest or bishop with the Church during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius thought soldiers fought better if they did not have wife's and children so he forbid marriage. He then had Valentine jailed for defying him when Valentine ignored the law and continued to perform marriages in secret. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine. Actually, it was against Roman law to draft married men into the army so Claudis II Gothicus made it illegal to marry.
Did emperor Claudius have any children?
No he did not! At least not with his last wife. Claudius had a daughter with an early wife and two children, a son and daughter with his wife, Messalina. His daughter Octavia married Nero and his son Britannicus was allegedly poisoned by Nero.
What did emperor claudius the second ban?
If Claudius II Gothicus would have banned something it would have been Christianity. However, this notion is discredited by modern historians. There are some medieval legends which say that Claudius martyred St Valentine during a persecution of Christians. Modern historians strongly doubt these stories. His reign was short, only two years, and he was busy with war. He had to deal with a Gothic invasion across the river Danube and then an invasion of Italy by the Alemanni. After that he fought a usurper emperor who had seceded from the empire and was ruling Britannia, Gaul and Spain. He won several battles and succeeded in regaining control of Spain and southeastern France. Shortly before his death he was preparing to fight an invasion by the Vandals. He would hardly have had any time to persecute the Christians Such action also would not have been advisable during a period of war. Moreover, there is no evidence that he reversed the previous emperor's (Galienus) policy of toleration of Christianity, a policy which lasted for 43 years until Diocletian's Great Persecution. The legends talk about emperor Claudius without specifying whether they mean Claudius or Claudius II. One legend gives 270 as a date, the year when Claudius II died.
Who was the emperor of the Romans in the 300 ad?
Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.Tiberius was the emperor in 35 AD.
What Roman Emperor is famous for banning marriage?
claudius II
Why was Saint Valentine put to death?
The Roman Emperor, Claudius II Gothicus, was having problems raising an army as Roman law forbade drafting married men. He decided to outlaw marriage to get around this problem. Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested and thrown into prison where he was tortured and beheaded.
What is Saint Valentine famous for?
Emperor Claudius II Gothicus needed to raise an army. However, he could not draft married men. He decided to outlaw any future marriage ceremonies so that there would be available men to draft. Valentine continued to marry couples in secret until Claudius learned about it and had Valentine arrested, tortured and beheaded.
How did Saint Valentine become connected to the word love?
When the Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus made marriage illegal, Valentine continued to marry couples in secret.
Where did St. Valentine live and who was the emperor at his time?
Claudius II Gothicus was the emperor during the time of St. Valentine of Rome.
Who beheaded Saint Valentine?
Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus order the execution of Valentine.
What Roman Emperor ordered St Valentine to death?
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus needed to raise an army and he could not draft married men. To solve the problem he ordered that all marriage ceremonies be stopped. Valentine continued to marry betroted couples in secret. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested, tortured and beheaded.
Who was responsible for Saint Valentine's death?
Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus ordered the death of Valentine.
Who imprisoned Saint Valentine?
Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus ordered that Valentine be arrested and executed.
Who was responsible for St. Valentine's death?
The Roman emperor Claudius II Gothicus ordered Valentine's execution.
What did Saint Valentine do that was against the law?
He performed marriage ceremonies. Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus had declared that marriages could no longer be performed. He needed to raise an army and was forbidden from drafting married men.
Who was responsible for St. Valentine's death and why?
The Roman Emperor Claudius II Gothicus made marriage illegal in the Roman Empire because he needed to raise an army and could not draft married men. Valentine continued to wed couples in secret. Claudius learned of it and had him arrested, tortured and beheaded.
