The question of polygamy is a controversial one that has been debated for centuries among different cultures and religions around the world. In ancient times, it was seen as an acceptable practice in some societies, particularly in those where women were considered property rather than equal partners in marriage. One such society was Rouran, which flourished from the fourth to seventh century CE along the northern borders of China's empire. In this civilization, polygamy was practiced extensively due to its religious teachings, which provided divine precedent, sacred hierarchy, and cosmological justification for the act.
Divine Precedent
Rouran religion taught that their god, known as Tengri, had multiple wives, each representing a different aspect of his personality or function. This meant that men who followed the faith could also take more than one wife if they wished, as long as they did so within certain parameters set out by Tengri himself. These rules included ensuring that each woman received her own home and livestock, as well as fair treatment when it came to clothing, food, and other necessities. The act of taking multiple wives was thus legitimized through divine precedent – Tengri's own example – making it something that was both sanctioned and encouraged by the highest authority in the land.
Sacred Hierarchy
Another way that polygamy was justified in Rouran was through the concept of sacred hierarchy. It was believed that men with greater status were entitled to have multiple wives because they were deemed to be closer to God and therefore deserved more women to tend to their needs. The ruling class was the most likely to practice polygamy, and many high-ranking officials would keep several concubines alongside their official spouses. Those further down the social ladder might only have one wife, but still felt pressure to produce children who could continue their family line. In this way, polygamy was seen not only as an acceptable practice but also as something that helped maintain order and stability within society.
Cosmological Justification
Rouran cosmology played a role in validating polygamy. It was believed that the universe itself was made up of three realms – Heaven (Tengrism), Earth (Humanity), and Underworld (Animals). Men had a responsibility to maintain harmony between these realms, which meant marrying into all three categories. This meant taking a woman from each realm, either as a main wife or a secondary partner. While some scholars argue that this was done primarily for political reasons rather than religious ones, there is no doubt that cosmology provided another layer of justification for polygamous marriages.
How did Rouran religion legitimize polygamy through divine precedent, sacred hierarchy, and cosmological justification?
Rouran religion was a polytheistic belief system that allowed for multiple marriages, including polygamous relationships between men and women. This practice was believed to be sanctioned by the gods, with one of the primary deities being associated with fertility and abundance. The religious leaders also viewed the act of polygamy as an important way of ensuring social stability and order within society.