On Februa14, around the year A.D. 270, Valentine, a holy
priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, is said
to have been beheaded.
Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in
many unpopular and bloody campaigns.
The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having
a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues.
Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the
army because of their strong attachment to their wives and
families.
To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the
decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages
for young lovers in secret.
1909
