▷ xGATHER 'ROUND, CHILDREN!. GATHER ROUND!.
st. valentine's day has various myths surrounding its background, but my favourite is the story of emporer claudius and the kindly bishop valentine.
during the declining years of rome, when claudius ii came to power, he strongly believed that one of the root causes behind their frailty was family. soldiers who had families would be attached to their wife and children, forming a distraction, and thus making them weak soldiers. so he issued an edict banning marriage in order to assure quality soldiers.
although the people of rome were shocked and outraged at this development, no one was brave enough to speak out. it was only kindly bishop valentine who resolved to do anything, and so when young lovers wished to marry they would come to him. he would set up a secret place and marry young men to their sweethearts, in opposition of emporer claudius ii.
but it was only a matter of time before the emporer found out, after all, and when he did, claudius had valentine executed.
i think that this story shows us not only the romantic spirit of st. valentine's day, but also brings with it an important moral lesson on standing by what you believe is right, no matter how harsh the consequences may be.
this is why emporer claudius ii is my hero.
<3
HAPPY ST. VALENTINE'S DAY.
