A transnational marriage or international marriage is a marriage between two people from different countries. History Transnational marriage has been attested since ancient times, often in instances where royal families sought to form alliances with one another. For example, Hermodike I (c. 800 BC) and Hermodike II (c. 600BC), Greek princesses from the house of Agamemnon, transnationally married kings from what is now central Turkey. These unions resulted in the introduction of ground-breaking technology to Ancient Greeks. Hermodike the First's marriage introduced Greece to the Phoenecian written script while Hermodike the Second's marriage introduced Greece to the use of coinage (to use a token currency, where the value is guaranteed by the state). Both inventions were rapidly adopted by surrounding nations through trade and cooperation and have been of fundamental benefit to the progress of civilization. More recently, transnational marriages have resulted from increasing globalization. Globalization has resulted in increased labor migration, increased communication, and more situations where foreigners come into contact with one another. Transnational marriage is increasingly common in areas where class and tribal separations are becoming less strict. There are many barriers and restrictions to cross-cultural, inter-tribal, or interracial marriages, however, particularly transnational marriages. People tend to marry those similar to them. Some even prefer to marry first cousins whom they trust. Surprisingly, international arranged marriages between cousins (and other relatives) occur more often countries with migration and family reunification policies. This form of transnational marriage is between nations but within cultures, allowing ethnic communities to remain viable even when far from their homelands. In the United States, data on intermarriage rates of immigrants has been collected since the early 20th century. Sociologist Julius Drachsler collected data on 100,00 marriages in New York City between 1908-1912. He found that less than one in ten foreign-born grooms married a bride born in America to American-born parents. In 2007, about one in four married immigrants had a spouse born in the United States. There are higher intermarriage rates for immigrants from more developed nations, suggesting greater capacity for cultural assimilation. Historical and religious attitudes In the Bible, Abraham's God warns the Israelites not to marry people from the seven nations residing in the land of Canaan for fear that they would then proceed to worship the gods of the other nations. Intermarriage with other nations was permissible. There are several instances of transnational marriages in the Bible, such as