#HappySaturnalia
Happy Saturnalia to all!
December 17 marked the beginning of Saturnalia, one of the most popular festivals in Ancient Rome. The midwinter celebrations lasted for several days (the number changed through the Roman era) and it was a time for feasting, partying, playing games, gift-giving and role-reversal. It was the merriest festival of the year and all work and business were suspended.
Long awaited, the seven Saturnalia are now at hand. (Macrobius, Saturnalia, I.10.3)
Illustration from the 4th century AD depicting a man enjoying a game of dice. Playing games was an important feature of the Saturnalia celebrations.
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Saturnalia originated as a farmer’s festival to mark the end of the autumn planting season in honour of Saturnus and, despite Livy’s claim that the festival was established in 496 BC, there is evidence that it began much earlier. Originally the festival was celebrated on a single day, on the…
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melbrake 