The World's Record in Marriages.

Otago Witness, Issue 2503, 12 March 1902, Page 62

The World's Record in Marriages.

In these days of record-breaking, there is still one record handed down to us from classic times' which lemains unbroken. It may be called the wedding record, and was established by the command of the allconquering Alexander of Macedon. This largest and most remarkable wedding since the world began took place at fSusa. When Alexander the Great had conquered Persia, wishing to unite victor and vanquished by the strongest ties possible, he decreed a wedding festival. Alexander married Statira, the daughter of Darius; 100 of his chief officers were united to ladies fiom the noblest Persian and'Medean families ; and 10,000 of his soldiers married 10,000 Asiatic women. In fact, 20,202 people were married at once. Moreover, some marvellous caterer, whose name deserves to have been handed down to posterity, managed to get up a feast for all the brides and bridegrooms, and for a vast multitude of guests besides. They had the most splendid, arrangements. Oa a plain near the city d" vast pavilion was erected on pillars 60ft high. It was hung and spread' with, the richest tissues, while the gold and precious stones which ornamented it would have made your^yes blink. Adjoining this building were ±56 gorgeous chambers for the 100 bridegrooms, while *or the remaining 10,000 an outer court was enclosed and hung with costly tapestry, and tables were spiead outside for the multitude. * A separate seat was assigned each pair, and all were arranged in a semi-circle on either hand of the Royal thione. Each bridegroom had received a golden vessel for his libations, and when the last of these had been announced bj tiumpets to the multitudes without, the brides entered the banquet hall and took their places.