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1.Paris and Helena
This affair dates back to the 11 century b.c. Prince Paris of Troy was promised the most beautiful woman in the world for his bride. It just so happened that she was already married to the king of Sparta! Paris went to Sparta as a guest of the king, and then seduced Queen Helena. During Paris’ visit, the king had to leave abruptly, and in is absence the two lovers snuck back to Troy. When her husband, King Menelaus, brother to King Agamemnon, ruler of Greece, realized his wife was gone, he went to his brother to ask for his help to bring her back. Helena and Paris’ affair started the greatest war in history, and the legend of the Trojan War still lives on.
2.Antony and Cleopatra
Marc Antony, the General of Rome and one of the three rulers of the triumvirate of the Roman Empire was married to Octavia – the sister of his counterpart, Triumvir Octavius. However, just after his marriage, Antony met Queen Cleopatra of Egypt in 41 B.C, and instantly fell in love with her. The couple left Rome and went to live in Egypt, Antony leaving behind his wife and military responsibilities. Octavius, furious with Antony’s unfaithfulness to his sister, waged war against him for the dishonor he had caused to his sister. When Antony’s armies fell to Octavius, both he and Cleopatra committed suicide. Antony and Cleopatra’s relationship shaped the future of the power of Rome and Egypt forever.
Over the course of history, many adulterous relationships have influenced the power balance between nations, and the decisions of rulers, many starting some of the most famous battles ever seen, and usually, it is the story of the lovers, that has kept the history alive.
3.Tristan and Isolde.
Tristan and Isolde is a story that dates back to the end of the 7th century A.D. Tristan was the nephew of King Marc, sent to Ireland on behalf of his uncle to claim Princess Isolde, his future Queen. However, on the journey back, Tristan and Isolde fall in love with each other and after Isolde married King Mark, they continued their affair in secret, until finally they were caught by the King’s men. As punishment, King Marc separated the two lovers forever.
4.Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere.
The story of Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere dates back to the 13th century A.D. Sir Lancelot falls in love with his Queen and the wife of his close friend and mentor, Lord Arthur.
Lancelot and Guinevere's love for each other grew slowly and eventually the pair became lovers. Unfortunately other knights became suspicious, and King Arthur's nephew led a band of 12 knights to Guinevere's chamber where they disturbed the lovers in bed.
Sir Lancelot his escape by fighting his way out of the castle, but Guinevere was seized and condemned to burn to death for her adultery. Upon hearing this, Sir Lancelot returned several days later to rescue his Guinevere, and the couple escaped.
The renaissance.
5.Napoleon and Josephine
The empire Napoleon of France married Josephine, an older woman of the old aristocracy. While Napoleon married out of love, Josephine married for convenience. So when Napoleon left Paris for battle, Josephine had no scruples in taking lovers into her bed. Napoleon was fighting in Egypt when he discovered her unfaithfulness, and quickly returned to Paris to end their marriage. However, Josephine and her daughter convinced Napoleon to forgive her, and from that day forward she was a devoted wife, even though Napoleon grew to love her again after overcoming her infidelity, he divorced her when he realized that she would be unable to bear him an heir. Josephine’s dying words were ‘Napoleon’.
This list also gives a special mention to one of the most tragic love affairs. Though not a tale of infidelity, Romeo and Juliet betrayed their families to be together, and their affair had dire consequences.
6.Romeo and Juliet.
The two star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet come from the house of Montague and Capulet, which are sworn enemies. The two young lovers meet when Romeo secretly attends the ball at the Capulet house, and both fall instantly in love. They are married the next day. Their families, unaware of this new union continue to fight, and when Romeo is challenged by Juliet’s cousin, and later slays him, he is banished. Juliet’s family, misinterpreting her grief forces her into marriage. Upon seeking counsel from her priest, she is offered a drug that will put her into a death-like coma. Romeo, unknowing of this plan, hears of Juliet’s death and rushes to her side where he takes his own live. Juliet wakes to find her beloved dead, and with his dagger, joins him in afterlife.
The downfall of the lovers in these tales was their lack of discretion. Thank goodness that in today’s world Gleeden exists!
