In today’s world, when you can join any dating site and meet strangers for quick encounters, it may not come as a surprise to see people looking for casual dating. So many people are in an open relationship these days, and they really do not mind exploring new opportunities to engage in intimate relationships with others. Of course, casual dating is not for everyone, but it can be extremely exciting if you know what you are getting yourself into.
Are Modern Love Affairs and Casual Relationships Actually Something New?
It is natural to think that botty call online is a new thing, but that is not true. Love, lust, temptation, companionship, and more go far back to Adam and Eve, and these are the basic factors behind any romantic relationship or casual affair. These things have become less taboo, more open, and acceptable by society. While a majority still holds on to the old traditions, these types of relationships can now see the light of day without expecting a backlash they would have centuries ago.
Six Scandalous Love Stories from History
To back the notion of casual relationships and love affairs considered a modern lifestyle not being so, we can look at six out of countless examples of classic love stories from historical times.
- Charles Dickens and Nelly Ternan
One of the most famous men at the time, Charles Dickens, met Nelly Ternan in 1857 when he was in the process of casting actors for one of his friend’s plays. Charles Dickens, a famous writer by now, belonged to a poor background, had a wife and children, and lived the perfect and ideal life as read in many of his works and others. However, this perfect picture broke down, and his marriage was broken a year after he met Nelly, as they went into a relationship that lasted till the end.
- Cleopatra and Mark Antony
Cleopatra was Antony’s mentor Caesar’s mistress when they first met in Rome. However, 10 years later, when Cleopatra arrived in Taurus upon Antony’s request, she made quite the entrance. She threw parties for generals and important officials, sparring with Antony, and gave away her jewels and valuables in grand parties to secure political support and enjoy her relationship with Antony. She needed him for protection and to get her son his right and he needed her to fund his military actions.
- Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton
The story of Horatio Nelson, a naval officer who had recently accomplished victory at the Battle of Nile, involved in an adulterous affair caught the public’s eye, more so because Emma Hamilton was a woman from a humble yet high profile background. History reveals that it was common at the time for naval officers to indulge in extra-marital affairs or enjoy some on the side. However, due to the significance of the parties involved, this relationship was disreputable at best for both of them and lasted for only six years.
- Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin
Known for her sexual independence, many male rivals often spread false rumors about her, including the false bestiality story that supposedly led to her demise. However, her relationship with Grigory Potemkin is no rumor, as they enjoyed a very healthy sex life together. Most of their encounters took place in the Winter Palace’s basement steam bath; often involving threesomes with Catherine’s other lovers in the later years. In addition to lust, intellect and mutual political goals were also a major part of their relationship.
- Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas
In the early 1900s, two women of Jewish descent found each other smitten from the moment their eyes clicked. Opposites in nature, with Stein being a bulky woman wearing loose clothing and an intense personality and Toklas a petite woman in flowery dresses and sharp expressions. The two women moved in together and had a healthy, loving relationship; however, reporters would refer to Toklas as Stein’s “constant companion.”
- Diana and Dodi Al Fayed
The famous princess and philanthropist started spending time with the Egyptian filmmaker Al-Fayed. Pictures of them kissing were released in the media known to have been sold for over 1 Million pounds. They went on a vacation together on Al-Fayad’s father’s yacht to the south of France, where they decided to spend a night in Paris. Escaping the paparazzi, the couple met with a car crash that led to their deaths, although many conspiracies revolve around the nature of the car crash being more than an accident.
There are many new things in today’s era, such as fashion, technological advancements, and even modern new fields of education. However, casual relationships and love affairs are not one of them. People have always been looking for a way to connect with strangers on an intimate level, and you can do it today with the help of dating sites.