In the fourth century, the temple was constructed in place of an older temple. Thus, the Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many traditions associated with Christmas.ĭuring Saturnalia, celebrations were held not only at home but also in the temple of Saturn in Rome. Feasting, playing, gambling, singing, exchanging gifts and home decorations were some of the activities people enjoyed doing during this time. Slaves were allowed to take part in the celebration and even reversed roles with their masters. Businesses, courts, schools, and other social patterns were suspended while people spent time doing more fun activities. During the celebration period, all activities came to a halt. The festival began on December 17 of the Julian calendar, which the Romans used in those days, and initially ended on December 25, the time at which the winter solstice fell. The pagan celebration of the Roman god, Saturn, first began as a single day, but later extended to a whole week during the late Republic. “Io saturnalia” is the salutation during this season, so whenever you hear this greeting, know that there is excitement in the air and it is in honor of the god Saturn. Feasting, gifting, singing, dancing, games, gambling, decorations, and role-reversals were the usual activities, so on this day, businesses, schools, courts, and other forms of work would stop so that everyone could join in the fun it was the best of days. During this time, normal social patterns came to a halt. It was the liveliest festival of the year with sounds of merriment and preparation everywhere it would be very difficult not to take notice of the Saturnalia celebrations even if you were new to the environment, as the people took it very, very seriously. It was the most popular holiday on the ancient Roman calendar and was derived from older farming-related rituals of midwinter and the winter solstice. The celebration of Christmas on December 25, just after Saturnalia, began in Rome after the conversion of Emperor Constantine in AD312.Saturnalia, celebrated from December 17 to 23, is an ancient Roman festival and holiday held to celebrate the agricultural god Saturn. "It was a topsy-turvy holiday of feasting, drinking, singing in the street naked, clapping hands, gambling in public and making noise."Įach household would elect a King of Chaos or King of Misrule to preside over the festivities. The 2nd century Greek poet Lucian told us that the serious is barred and no business allowed at Saturnalia but singing naked is encouraged. Wearing greenery and jewelry of a sacred nature was apparently common, based on descriptions, drawings, and the like from the era.During Saturnalia is was customary for slaves and masters to exchange roles, with the slaves relaxing as their masters did the cooking for them. People were just as likely to be ornamented as the trees. Trees were not brought indoors (the Germans started that tradition), but decorated where they grew. Ornaments in the trees included sun symbols, stars, and faces of the God Janus. Many of the decorations involved greenery - swathes, garlands, wreaths, etc - being hung over doorways and windows, and ornamenting stairs. The standard greeting during this period was “Io Saturnalia!” Starting as a one-day feast, it expanded to three days, then a whole week, from December 17 to 23. The first Saturnalia was in 497BC when the Temple of Saturn in Rome was dedicated. Saturnalia was the time to show how thankful you were for Saturn's bounty by stuffing your face with as much of it as you could. The traditional gifts were wax tapers and little dolls, although gifts of silver later became traditional. The statue of the god was hollow and filled with olive oil, as a symbol of his agricultural functions.Īfter the rituals, the Senators dismissed the crowd with the cry of "Io, Saturnalia!", a sign for the happy festivities of family parties and other private gatherings to begin. In ancient Rome Saturnalia festivities began with ritual and sacrifices in the Temple of Saturn. Saturnalia began as a farmers’ festival to honor Saturn, an agricultural diety.
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