In the year 311 BC a marriage contract in Egypt was drawn up for Heraclides and Demetria, both from the town of Koan.

The contract specified that the bride was bringing into the marriage clothing and bling worth a thousand drachmas. Heraclides, meanwhile, agreed to support Demetria according to what was fitting for a freeborn woman. As to where the two of them would live, that would be whatever they both agreed to after consulting with each other.

This marriage, like some that we read about, also had prenuptial conditions,  as far as divorce was concerned. If Demetria did not act in an appropriate manner, Heraclides could send her away without any of the wealth she’d brought into the marriage but only — and this was key, if three men agreed he was right, and both husband and wife had to …