[webstersII]

"Since the advent of 'romantic love'"

Actually, the idea of romantic love has been around a long time.

In the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament there is a description of a couple who have great desire for each other, which differs greatly from your description of marriage merely as an "economic relationship".

[Basheva]

******In the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament there is a description of a couple who have great desire for each other, which differs greatly from your description of marriage merely as an "economic relationship".****

Romantic love is old, but as the SOLE REASON FOR MARRIAGE - it is fairly new.