Manus Marriage

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Manus is a word for a type of marriage during Roman times. Manus is also called coemptio. It represents a "bride purchase." A groom would pay money or some other goods, and receive a bride in exchange. While this purchase was not a real sale, it symbolized the traditional bride purchases of earlier societies. Only five witnesses were required and the wedding ceremony was less formal than a confarreatio, but the bride still passed to her husband's manus. It meant that the bride was severing all legalities with her original family. It must be created and is not automatic.