Io, Saturnalia! Dec *Io (ee-oh or ye-oh) Saturnalia was the traditional holiday greeting. “Io” translates Yay!, Hey!, Yo!, etc.

What Was Saturnalia? Saturnalia was the Roman festival in honor of the god (Titan) Saturn Festivities lasted Dec Saturn was an early Roman god of agriculture, plenty, wealth, time, and liberation

How Was Saturnalia Celebrated? A ceremony and sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum A “public banquet” after the sacrifice Then people would celebrate at home with dinners, gifts, and fun.

What Was Saturnalia Like? Courts and schools were closed Everyone, slave and citizen, could wear the pilleus, the “freedman’s cap” Gambling was temporarily legal Instead of wearing formal togas, people wore colorful Greek-style clothing Friends and families enjoyed dinners and exchanged gifts Evergreen decorations

What Was Saturnalia Like? Saturnalia was a time of “role reversal!” Slaves enjoyed a banquet like their masters (sometimes the master would serve) A person (often a child) would be elected “princeps Saturnalicius” and give silly orders “Free speech” was tolerated: slaves could be sassy, children bossy, etc…(in theory)

Saturnalia Gifts Dec. 23 was called the “Sigillaria” Sigillaria were small clay or wax figurines given as gifts (usually as toys), sold at special markets. Saturnalia gifts were often small, but could be expensive, too.

Saturnalia Gifts Cheap gifts symbolized the “equality” of Saturnalia. Gag gifts were popular, too. Sigillaria, silver objects, and wax candles were traditional gifts for Saturnalia. Multiple gifts could be given over several days, sometimes with a poem (like a card) attached

Examples of Gifts (Martial, AD) writing tabletslampsspoons diceballclothing knucklebonesperfumestatue moneyboxpipesmask comba pig books toothpicksausagepets hata parrot hunting knife table axecups