LEGALITIES

 In Rome a Master or Mistress may choose to allow their slaves to join with each other in a marriage-like relationship, either due to the feelings between the two slaves or in order to mate them in order to produce more slaves.  A slave cannot contract a legit/legal marriage, however as they cannot make a promise of ADFECTUS MARITALIS (honorable intention).  So their cohabitation with a each other is CONTUBERNIUM or a non-legal state of mutual concubinage; and no legal relationship between them and their children, if any result from the union, is recognized.

When two slaves, who are not allowed to contract a legal marriage, live together as husband and wife, they are called CONTUBERNALES; and their connection, as well as their place of residence, CONTUBERNIUM.  This is a form of marriage reckoned to be MATRIMONIA INIUSTA or outside of the requirements needed to be recognized as a legitimate union of matrimony.

Any children resulting from such a union would belong to the Master of the male slave if an arrangement is made between two people to have their separately owned slaves join in CONTUBERNIUM and would be considered illegitimate with no rights of inheritance tho the slave father's Master would be held responsible for their upkeep.  Said children may either be left in the care of their parents or may be given over to other slaves to raise at the Owner's discretion.

If Dominii (free person/s) choose to CONJUGAVI (join together) a pair of slaves there is no need for a special ceremony save for the slaves to be informed of this decision and then arrangements for their living together made as one of the conditions for CONTUBERNIUM is their cohabitation together.  In fact, neither of the couple have to be present for any part of the negociations and signing of anything for the CONTUBERNIUM to be officially begun.

CEREMONY

However, if wished the occasion may be celebrated in some small fashion which may include offerings to the household gods, a pronouncement saying they are to be joined as CONJUGATITER (married persons) being CONTURBERNALES in the CONTUBERNIUM openly stated by the CONJUGATOR/CONJUGATORIS (the one or ones doing the joining of the pair).  The slave couple may then be allowed to express their ADSENSUS (assent or agreement) to the union, tho this is not necessary as it would be if they were Dominii as well.

If the arrangement is made between slaves belonging to different owners then there should be some form of TABULAE CONCUBINATUS or concubinage contract stating any terms pertaining to the arrangement present and signed by both at this point.  Again, this is not signed by the slaves theirself but the respective Owners of the slaves.  Even if there is no desire that a child come forth from this union there still 'should' be some form of agreement stipulated in such a contingency in the contract since in Ancient Rome contraceptives were more based on wishful thinking than practical results.

For those of a sentimental bent the traditional words exchanged in a legitimate marriage ceremony may now be spoken by the slaves to each other:

"Ubi tu Gaius, ego Gaia."
"Where you are Gaius, I am Gaia."
by the female slave

"Ubi tu Gaia, ego Gaius."
"Where you are Gaia, I am Gaius."
by the male slave

This is usually followed by the ADORATIO which is to say formal well wishes like a very short prayer for the Owner(s), each other and their union each utterance followed by a ritual gesture putting the hand to the mouth and then holding it out and up. Rather like blowing a kiss, but more solemn.

From this point on the celebration if any including feasting, processions accompanied by bawdy jokes and songs to the CONTUBERNIUM (dwelling) of the pair (with the male slave going ahead at some point to meet his new mate at the threshold) by well-wishers and fellow slaves, etc. may be enjoyed until the couple is finally left alone to consummate their union together in their new abode.

DAY TO DAY FACTS

Now that we have delved into what CONTUBERNIUM is and how it may begin let's go into a few facts.

Number One... A slave couple who wish to be joined in this sort of union cannot "elope" and be "wed" as it were against their Owner's wishes.  Conversely, a slave couple who do not wish to be joined in this fashion cannot refuse to be so if their Owner(s) wish it.  Even tho it is a union similar to marriage, both parties are both still slaves and both still subject to their Owner's dominion over their lives.  The most the prospective couple can do in either case is beg for their Owner(s) to abide by their wishes.

Number Two... A slave couple cannot roleplay becoming pregnant if their Owner(s) do not wish for them to reproduce.  There is realistically no such thing as an "accidental pregnancy" or any other sort of "accident" actually, online in a roleplay chatroom and those of Rome are well aware of this.  Don't even go there.

Number Three... Neither of the slaves involved in the CONTUBERNIUM can expect to be or have the other slave be sexually exclusive to each other except of course the female shall be restricted during the time when active attempts at conception are taking place to ensure paternity until the conception has been confirmed by a Physician of Rome and perhaps for some time afterwards.  Signs of jealousy on either slave's part will be terms for dissolving of the CONTUBERNIUM no matter who or what about the jealousy arises.  There is a zero tolerance level in Rome for jealousy in slaves, whether it is expressed IC or OOC, or regards a relationship with another slave or a Dominii, since it is one of the most negative and destructive things which can tear apart a room.  However, do not try if wishing to be "let out" of the relationship to use the jealousy door as an escape route.  That door will not only lead out of the relationship, but out of Rome as well for any who are found to have done so.

Number Four... Neither of the slaves involved can expect not to be sold while in such a relationship which may or may not end the CONTUBERNIUM depending on the circumstances.  Like being mated to begin with, the decision is not theirs to make.  The CONTUBERNIUM shall also continue until the Owner(s) of the slaves involved chooses to end it or until one or both of the couple are freed.  Neither the beginning, continuance or ending of the relationship is up to the couple involved tho they may at any time beg for what they want of course.

Number Five... A male slave may have more than one slave concubine simultaneously, tho a female slave may only have one slave consort at a time.  Ancient Rome is still a rather patriarchal society and its institutions reflect this, even with regards to slaves' nuptial arrangements.

Number Six.. Irregardless of whether a couple wishes to be joined in this manner or to continue being joined as CONTUBERNALES, they are expected to behave in all respects as a husband and wife would during the time period of Ancient Rome we are in with all the honors due to each other in such a relationship.

Finally, if you are a slave and have been joined with another slave in CONTUBERNIUM, you will still serve as you did before, whatever it may be; food, drink, etc. and if you were allowed to serve sexually, you will continue to do so for so long as your Owner wishes you to.  Being a CONTUBERNALES will NOT exempt you from performing your regular duties, nor behaving as a slave of the Roman Empire should.

Latin Words and Terms Associated With Contubernium

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