History is filled not only with wars and tragedies. There is also room for true love. This overview features couples whose love has overcome many obstacles and even influenced the course of history.
Gao Tsung and Wu Zetian
The romance between Emperor Gao Tsung and his concubine Wu Zetian was so scandalous that it became an important part of Chinese history. When Emperor Taitsong died in 649 CE BC, his son Gao-Tsung took over the reins. According to tradition, after the death of the ruler, all his concubines had to shave their heads. One day, while walking past the convent, Gao-Tsung saw Wu Zetian. Despite the lack of hair, the girl struck the emperor with her beauty, and he ordered her to return to the palace to become his concubine. Conservative statesmen voiced their outrage at the ruler's decision, but he didn't care.
Gao-Tsung loved and trusted Wu Zetian so much that he allowed her to participate in governing the country and crowned her empress. After the death of the ruler, Wu Zetian freely took the throne and became the first female emperor in the Celestial Empire.
Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile
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Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile remained in history as monarchs, during whose reign the peak of the heyday of Spain fell. Their union became one of those few among the people of royal blood, which was concluded for love. Ferdinand and Isabella were married in secret. The fact is that at that time Castile was ruled by Isabella's half-brother Enrique, who himself wanted to marry her in order to use his sister as a political pawn.
The secret wedding was a bolt from the blue. Ferdinand and Isabella were related to each other, and such an alliance required the permission of the Pope. The pontiff was afraid to agree, but, nevertheless, the wedding took place. The marriage of young lovers completed the unification of Spain and brought prosperity to the country.
Pericles and Aspasia
The connection between Pericles and Aspasia in Athens in Ancient Greece caused a real scandal. Pericles would be an orator and military general. He met Aspazia during a symposium. The woman was not from Athens, but from Miletus, since she had much more freedom in society than the Athenians. Pericles was very fond of Aspazia, but he could not marry her, because before meeting her, ironically, he had passed a law that did not allow the Athenians to marry foreigners. But every day until the end of his days, Pericles showered Aspasia with kisses and confessed his love.
Badji Rao and Mastani
In Indian folklore, in addition to the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, which led to the creation of the Taj Mahal, there are many other no less touching stories. The story of Baji Rao and Mastani is a classic tale of two unfortunate lovers. Baji Rao was a Peshwa Hindu, corresponding to the position of today's prime minister. Contemporaries knew him as a fierce and ruthless warrior and commander, but behind closed doors Baji Rao was known as a real romantic and even built a sacred palace for his beloved.
Mastani was a Muslim concubine. Despite the disapproval of his family, Baji Rao married her. The relatives agreed to prevent the spouses from communicating with each other at any opportunity. In separation from his beloved, Baji Rao began to drink heavily and, in the end, died of alcoholism.
Sacred Squad of Thebes
The sacred squad from Thebes is an example of unusual love. It consisted of gay couples in love. The Theban Gorgid, who was at the head of the unit, said that "their unit is sealed by a friendship based on love that can never be broken." The calculation was that not a single warrior would ever leave the battlefield if his dear friend remained there. By the way, it was the Thebans in 371 BC. e. defeated the Spartans in the battle on the Leuctrah plain, thereby destroying the myth of Spartan invulnerability.