Through film and television dramas, we can see that the conditions in ancient times are not as good as those in modern times. I believe no one wants to live in ancient times. But there was a policy in ancient times that men liked very much. This policy is a very different marriage system between ancient times and now. In ancient times, men could have multiple wives and several women at the same time. In ancient times, monogamy and concubinage were practiced, which was the envy of modern men. So what was the relationship between husband and wife in ancient times, and how did wives and concubines get along? Let's have a look.
In ancient times, it was a patriarchal society, and the status of women was very low. A man can legally marry one wife and only one wife. Most of the wives married by men are suitable ladies, and other women who later enter the door can only be concubines. Concubine's status in ancient times was very low, and they were generally from humble origins. They are not masters in a family, just a little taller than slaves.
In ancient times, men married concubines in order to spread their branches and leaves and have children. The greatest function of concubines is to have children. Under normal circumstances, concubines are young and beautiful girls who look pleasing to the eye and often get their husbands' love. Women's jealousy is terrible, concubines enter the door to win their wives' favor, and their wives won't have any good looks on them.
A man's wife has a position in the family, and there is also a wife's position in the genealogy, but concubines cannot enter the genealogy. A wife has a high position, but a concubine has a low position. Wives can reprimand, beat and scold concubines at will, and even betray concubines.
The child born to his wife is the first child and has a noble status. The children born to concubines are ordinary children, and their status is lower than that of their own children. Children born to concubines should also recognize their wives as their mothers, and can only call their biological mothers aunts.
In ancient times, wives held absolute power in a family, even the life, honor and disgrace and even life of concubines. Concubines are just tools for men to carry on the family line. Although some concubines are favored, they are just men's playthings. They are poor because they live a cautious and humble life.