Rome. 3rd Century. Claudius II (the Cruel) Gothicus, Emperor.
The Emperor Claudius II ruled with a iron fist, he was abusive and waged many wars. Claudius successfully waged so many wars that his military enlistments were down. He believed that Roman men loved their families so much that they did not want to leave them behind. So Claudius came up with a very cruel plan. He canceled all marriages & engagements in Rome. The people of Rome feared him, so they did not stand up to him.
But a simple Christian priest did stand up. For love that is. His name was Valentine. He began to secretly marry soldiers before they went off to war. When Claudius "the Cruel" found out about the secret ceremonies, he had Valentine thrown in jail. Valentine faced the ultimate punishment. Death.
While waiting to be executed Valentine fell in love. The jailer's daughter had won his heart. It is said that he wrote a sonnet to her so beautiful it made the blind girl see. (Having no writng instruments,it is also said that he wrote that sonnet from ink squeezed from violets.)
The very next day Valentine was clubbed to death by the Roman army.
Valentine's sacrifce for love made history in ancient Rome and centuries later it is alive and well. St. Valentine being granted Sainthood by the Catholic Church is celebrated on February 14th because of the ancient belief that lovebirds begin to mate on that very day.
What would you do for love?
L'essenziale si vede solo con il cuore.
Translation: What is essential can be seen only with the heart.
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