Within the context of romance, the importance of keeping one's virginity evolves over time and depends on the integrity and depth of the character's love. In the most rudimentary sense, a woman's virginity is her only power, meaning, it is what her pursuer wants the most from her. Hence, when she surrenders it, she has nothing left to barter with in the relationship. However, in Daphnis and Chloe, having power over one another was of no interest to them. Perhaps that's one of the reasons this story prevails through time; their love was an agape love which was based on caring for each other rather than conquering each other. Yet, the story was still full of provocative sexual tension.
In An Ephesian Tale, Habrocomes and Anthia also shared a love that transcended conquest and power over one another. On the eve of their wedding in their first kiss, "the thoughts that were in the mind of each they transmitted through their lips from the soul of one to the soul of the other" (13). They were more concerned about maintaining their loyalty to one another, in this life, and the next. Anthia proclaims, "Let us die, Habrocomes; we shall possess one another after death and none shall trouble us" (18). The trials they faced in the story seem to exemplify their profound devotion to each other and revealed the integrity of their relationship.
In The Acts of Paul and Thecla, Thecla's love was not for a man but for God. Although she maintained her virginity, it was not about maintaining her power, it was about surrendering he entire being to God. She proclaims her love when she states, "I am a handmaid of the living God. . . . For he alone is the goal of salvation and the foundation of immortal life" (62). Once again we see a love that goes beyond the shallow conquests of current day romance that is often based on power as opposed to agape love.
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