I've often read how in the pre-modern era romantic love didn't exist (or wasn't prevalent) outside the Greco-Roman/Western world. And that even in the west it was limited. Outside the western world, it is stated, that polygamy was the norm and the concept of love was unfamiliar until it was introduced in modern times. For example, I recall how a documentary deemed it unusual and extraordinary that Shah Jahan to build Taj Mahal for his favourite wife. But it was also noted that it wasn't that romantic since it wasn't his only wife (which I kind of think makes sense). I was currently reading this article which states
[Polygamy] made it easier for fathers to divide and share valuable commodities such as land with their children. Monogamy later got hijacked by romantic love by idealistic 19th Century Victorians. “The idea of sexual exclusivity started emerging fairly late in the game,” says professor of law Hadar Aviram at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, US
However, in my limited knowledge of one culture's history (my own, Iranian) I know quite a few stories in Persian literature which could easily be called love-stories. e.g. Shirin and Farhad. I know quite a few love-stories of Indian, Arabic and Turkish cultures (some of which are shared with Persian).
So how true is this assumtion? How is romantic love a construct of 19th century western culture (revived from Roman culture, apparently)? Am I missing something?
Immediately springing to mind are the romances of Shakespeare. The stories in Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, etc. clearly show a romantic love concept in society outside the roman or 19th century periods.
Another example would be the idea of chivalry which had a strong focus on the desirability of romantic love, often to the exclusion of a sexual component.
The examples you mention are another contradiction to the argument.
Additionally, at least in the west, the catholic church was not in favor of polygamy. Sexual exclusivity was required by the prohibition of adultery and fornication.
I think it is inaccurate to say that romantic love and/or sexual exclusivity is a creation (or recreation) of Western 19th century.