what I learned researching pedophilia.

Romantic relationships are a Victorian construct. Society placed strict rules on unmarried people and developed a system of courtship rules. This led to what was called a “companionate” relationship. Regardless of the elegance of the system, it was still a male supremacy relationship. Equality was never a factor.
“Childhood” is a 20th century concept. American urban areas often had children roaming freely with little to do. Playgrounds were developed. This led to the concept of childhood which also included the Victorian concept of child innocence.
Marriage in many cultures was transactional. Women were property, in patriarchal cultures. Marriage simply transfered ownership from one man to the other.
Sexuality was fluid, but in some cases certain rules did apply. While Romans enjoyed sexual freedom, certain rules did apply, especially to patricians (the ruling class).
Roman emperor Nero castrated and married a boy during his tour of Greece in 66–67 AD, allegedly in order for him to play the role of his wife.
Emperor Tiberous would often swim with young boys, whom he called “minnows” because they would nibble at him in the pool.
Pederasty (men and teen boys) was widespread. There is an extensive Wikipedia entry on this covering the subject in many cultures.
The terms “pedophilia” and “homosexual” are relatively modern terms. The concepts didn't exist in the ancient world. Children were simply seen as small adults.
In Jolly Ol’ England, girls as young as 10 could work as prostitutes.
Children could be bought and sold.
Arranged marriages with children were often transactional, political, or both.
In the American south, slave owners after raped female slaves. Pre-pubescent girls were often advertised in coded phrasing as sex slaves.
Yes, pedophilia has been around and is likely old as civilization. We simply inherited the attraction in a world that demonized it.