(ἐπί, and ἀλαμος a bed-chamber), in Antiquity, a nuptial song or poem in praise of the bride and bridegroom, and praying for their prosperity.

Among the Jews epithalamia were sung at the door of the bride, by her female companions, the evening before the marriage. The Greek epithalamium was performed by a chorus of boys and girls when the bride and bridegroom entered the bridal chamber; and the wedded pair were saluted the next morning with the same song slightly altered. The practice amongst the Romans was similar; the chorus, however, consisting of girls only, who sang at the door of the nuptial-chamber till midnight; but their epithalamia were frequently obscene.