Saturnalia So…what is it?
The festival eIt was one of the most popular festivals to the Romans eTook place at the end of December around the 17th-19th eThis festival originally only lasted for a day and over time it grew to seven days eIt was a time of merriment and celebration
Saturn eSaturnalia honored the god Saturn e Saturn is associated with the Titan god Cronus eSaturn is the god of agriculture and the harvest eHis name is where we get the word Saturday (Dies Saturni)
Celebrating Saturnalia eA likeness of the god Saturn was placed on a couch outside the temple of Saturn eReversal of social roles- pilleum eBanquets eGambling eGifts- wax candles, clay figures eSaturnalicius princeps was elected the master of ceremonies eThe toga was not worn but colorful dinner clothes were donned
What the Romans said about Saturnalia eSeneca the younger eAugustus eCatullus
Traditions of Saturnalia still continued today eDecorating your house with garlands eYule Log eGiving gifts eKalends Fires ePeace eSpending time with family and friends eTime off from work and school eBig family dinner