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Saturnalia

By Annie Chen

Clothing

Gambling and Games

Feasting and Partying

How was Saturnalia celebrated?

  • All people wore colorful dinner clothes (called a synthesis)
  • Felt caps which were tranditionally worn by slaves who had been set free
  • These caps worn on Saturnalia were to represent their "freedom" from their usual restrictions

King of the Saturnalia

How did Saturnalia become a holiday?

  • Gambling was illegal in the 1st century, except for when it was Saturnalia
  • Children and slaves could gamble
  • Game of chance
  • Boys tossed coins and called "heads" or "ships"
  • The importance of agriculture in early societies made the seasons very important celebrations
  • During the winter, it was cold and dark with little sunlight
  • People feared that the sun might disappear completely
  • People celebrated to honor the sun, thinking that the sun would return quickly and completely
  • Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia
  • Began December 17 and lasted for about a week
  • Celebrated in honor of the Roman god Saturn - god of agriculture
  • 1st day of the festival: families threw dice to determine who in the household would become the "king" of Saturnalia
  • Anyone could become this "king", including slaves
  • The king could command the household to do things (i.e. sing a song, prepare a banquet, etc.)
  • People feasted to prepare for the increasing coldness of the winter
  • Slaves did not have to work
  • They partied like how their masters usually did
  • Music and dancing

Gifts

  • The Romans gave each other small gifts
  • Usually candles, silver objects, preserved fruit, small clay or wooden figures

Inaguration of the Festival

  • A cry of "Io Saturnalia!", which marked the beginning of the festival
  • Sacrifice of young pigs at the temple of Saturn
  • Houses were decorated with lights

Bibliography

"Ancient Roman Holidays & Festivals." The Detective & the Toga. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

"BET EMET MINISTRIES." The Rebirth of the Sun from the Dead...the Winter Solstice. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

"Io! Saturnalia." Saturnalia with Senex Caecilius. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

Lawrence, Caroline. "A Roman Christmas." Roman Mysteries & Western Mysteries. Web. 21 Nov. 2015.

"Saturnalia." Saturnalia. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

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