History’s Top Five Love Affairs make Sarkozy and Bruni look second rate

Forget the love affair between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his new bride Carla Bruni. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7226646.stm). As usual history provides us with copious comparisons that outshine what the media think is unique. So, in this entry, we list five matches that make the Sarkozy-Bruni partnership seem distinctly second-rate.

Antony and Cleopatra The last Pharaoh of Egypt and the dashing Roman general

Abelard and Heloise A monk and a nun whose love letters became famous

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal Grieving emperor who built the Taj Mahal for his late wife

Nelson and Lady Hamilton The Admiral and his ill-fated beauty

Napoleon and Josephine The tempestuous relationship that enthralled a continent