amelie melo's New Writeupshttp://everything2.com/?node=New%20Writeups%20Atom%20Feed&foruser=amelie melo2002-12-29T22:03:40ZUbi tu Gaius, ego Gaia (thing)http://everything2.com/user/amelie+melo/writeups/Ubi+tu+Gaius%252C+ego+Gaiaamelie melohttp://everything2.com/user/amelie+melo2002-12-29T22:03:40Z2002-12-29T22:03:40Z<p> The literal translation is "Where thou art Gaius, I shall be <a href="/title/Gaia">Gaia</a>".</p>
<p>This was the <a href="/title/vow">vow</a> recited by brides in Ancient <a href="/title/Rome">Rome</a>. The groom, would reply by saying "<a href="/title/Ubi+tu+Gaia%252C+ego+Gaius">Ubi tu Gaia, ego Gaius</a>", which means "Where thou art <a href="/title/Gaia">Gaia</a>, I shall be <a href="/title/Gaius">Gaius</a>" </p>
<p>I believe that this vow has <a href="/title/religious">religious</a> <a href="/title/connotations">connotations</a>, considering <a href="/title/Gaia">Gaia</a> is the <a href="/title/goddess">goddess</a> that represents the <a href="/title/Earth">Earth</a> for both <a href="/title/Greeks">Greeks</a> and <a href="/title/Romans">Romans</a>. And since the Romans were <a href="/title/encouraged">encouraged</a> to have <a href="/title/children">children</a>, probably the vow is also a <a href="/title/prayer">prayer</a> for <a href="/title/fecundity">fecundity</a> and <a href="/title/longevity">longevity</a>.</p>
<p>It is interesting to note that sometimes the <a href="/title/groom">groom</a> would not attend his own <a href="/title/wedding+ceremony">wedding ceremony</a>, for several <a href="/title/reasons">reasons</a>, but, there had to be a written letter from him, which contained the vow for his bride, so that the <a href="/title/marriage">marriage</a> was complete. </p>
<p>After the <a href="/title/wedding">wedding</a>, the <a href="/title/bride">bride</a> would <a href="/title/become">become</a> part of the groom's family and would practice his <a href="/title/religion">religion</a>.</p>