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"For how many years shall this
festival abide! Never shall age destroy so holy a day! While the hills of Latium
remain and father Tiber, while thy Rome stands and the Capitol thou hast restored
to the world, it shall continue."
~Publius Papinius
Statius (Saturnalia)
Saturnalia
is the Roman feast at which the Romans commemorated the dedication of the temple
of the god Saturn, which took place on 17 December. Over the years, it expanded
to a whole week, up to 23 December. The Saturnalia was originally celebrated
in Ancient Rome for only one day, but it was so popular it soon it lasted a
week, despite Augustus' efforts to reduce it to three days, and Caligula's,
to five.
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Like Christmas, this important holy day (feriae publicae) was for more
than fun and games. Saturnalia was a time to honor the god of sowing, Saturn.
But again, like Christmas, it was also a festival day (dies festus) on which
a public banquet was prepared. An effigy of the god was probably one of the
guests.
The poet Catullus describes Saturnalia as the best of
days. It was a time of celebration, visits to friends, and gift-giving, particularly
of wax candles (cerei), and earthenware figurines (sigillaria). The best part
of the Saturnalia (for slaves) was the temporary reversal of roles. Masters
served meals to their slaves who were permitted the unaccustomed luxuries of
leisure and gambling. Clothing was relaxed and included the peaked woollen cap
that symbolized the freed slave. A member of the familia (family plus slaves)
was appointed Saturnalicius princeps, roughly, Lord of Misrule.
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