In ancient Rome, their love-based marriage was a rare exception that shaped an empire. #history #ancienthistory #romanempire | Ancienta

In ancient Rome, a woman like Livia was more than a person; she was valuable family property whose marriage was a critical investment for securing wealth and power. Her future was a serious enterprise for her family's continued growth in a competitive social market. A curious medical discovery complicated this: it was thought excessive intimacy caused eyelashes to fall out. Thus, long, full lashes became the ultimate public symbol of chastity, a sign more potent than any dowry. Livia understood