How did the tradition of best man start?

The tradition of the best man can trace its roots back to ancient times when marriages involved the capture of a bride rather than a voluntary act. In those times, the groom would choose his strongest and most trusted friend to stand by his side during the wedding ceremony. The role of the best man was to help the groom fight off any attempts by the bride's family to reclaim her. Over time, the practice of the best man evolved into a ceremonial role, with duties such as serving as the groom's personal assistant, holding the wedding rings, and delivering the best man's speech at the reception. Today, the best man is an important part of the modern wedding ceremony and is often a close friend or family member of the groom.