![]() ![]() However, not everyone agreed with these celebrations. Bands of naked revelers often roamed the streets, singing and carousing, as a sort of ancestor to today’s Christmas caroling tradition. A typical Saturnalia gift might be something like a writing tablet or tool, cups and spoons, clothing items, or food, but also a “cerei”, a tapered wax candle used in many temples and shrines.Ĭitizens decked their halls with boughs of greenery, and even hung small tin ornaments on bushes and trees. Food and drink were plentiful, elaborate feasts and banquets were held, and it wasn’t unusual to exchange small gifts at these parties. Peasants were in command of the city while business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun. For istance, a master might serve his slaves dinner, but the slaves were the ones who prepared it and, apparently, this kept Roman society in order, but still allowed everyone to enjoy. However, despite the appearance of a reversal of social order, there were, of course, some fairly strict boundaries. Everyone got to wear the red pileus, or freedman’s hat, and slaves were free to be as impertinent as they wished to their masters. One of the highlights of Saturnalia was the switching of traditional roles, particularly between masters and their slaves. ![]() This week-long holiday typically began around this day, December 17, so that it would end right around the day of the solstice.Īt the temple of Saturn on Capitoline Hill fertility rituals were performed, including sacrifices and, in addition to the large public celebrations, lot of private citizens held ceremonies honoring the god in their homes. And, in this period, around the time of the winter solstice each year, they celebrated the so-called festival of Saturnalia.ĭescribed by the Latin poet Catullus as ‘The Best of Days’, as the name not by chance suggests, this was a celebration in honor of Saturn, the agricultural god. When it comes to celebrations, parties, and downright debauchery, probably no one beats the folks of ancient Rome. ![]()
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