![]() No one worked during Saturnalia except those who provided the food that fueled the feasts. ![]() Schools, stores, and courts of law closed their doors for the duration of the festival. Lo saturnalia free#Slaves were not the only people enjoying free time during Saturnalia. Many researchers trace the origins of these figures back to the mock kings who presided over the Saturnalian banquets. According to one observer, the king's orders might require "one to shout out a libel on himself, another to dance naked, or pick up the flute-girl and carry her thrice around the room." Christmas celebrations in medieval Europe also elevated a variety of mock authorities into temporary positions of power ( see also Boy Bishop Feast of Fools King of the Bean Lord of Misrule). The king's commands had to be obeyed, no matter how outrageous. As these monarchs were chosen by lot, anyone might become king for the evening, even a slave. The mock kings who presided over the Saturnalian feasts offered one humorous exception to the general rule of equality. Moreover, at the feast held in honor of the holiday slaves sat down to eat first and were waited on by their masters. Furthermore, during the time of the festival they wore the felt cap given to freed slaves and could criticize and mock their masters without fear of reprisal. They were exempted from their usual duties and from all forms of punishment. Perhaps the slaves enjoyed the festival more than anyone else. When the rich man shall feast his slaves, let his friends serve with him. Every man's portion of meat shall be alike. At a Saturnalian feast:Įvery man shall take place as chance may direct dignities and birth and wealth shall give no precedence. Lucian's rules for Saturnalian banquets, however, neatly erased these inequalities. During the rest of the year the seating arrangements, portions, and service offered at Roman feasts reflected differences in wealth and social rank among the guests. Chief among these rules was the decree that "all men shall be equal, slave and free, rich and poor, one with another." This temporary equality was especially apparent at the banquets characteristic of this Roman holiday. Lucian, a second-century Greco-Roman writer, drew up a set of rules summarizing proper conduct during Saturnalia. Many of the customs associated with Saturnalia recalled the equality and abundance that characterized Saturn's reign on earth. Lo saturnalia full#, however, the celebrations had stretched into a full week of fun ending around December 23. ![]() In the early years of the Roman Republic Saturnalia took place on December 17. They held his festival at the end of the autumn sowing season when cold weather arrived in earnest. ![]() The Romans honored Saturn as the patron of agriculture and of civilized life. In this era of joy and plenty, people lived together in harmony and shared equally in the earth's bounty. He established the first laws and taught human beings agriculture. Others, however, think it evolved from saturo, which means "to fill" or "to satisfy." According to Roman mythology, Saturn ruled over the kingdom of Latium, the region surrounding Rome, as its first king during its golden age. Some believe the word "saturn" comes from the Latin verb for "to sow," whose root is sat. Scholars debate the meaning of the Roman god's name. Others believe that he evolved from a minor Etruscan god of agriculture. ![]() In addition, they assigned him a new, Roman history. Some scholars believe that the Romans borrowed Saturn from the Greeks by simply exchanging the deity's Greek name, Kronos, for the Roman name, Saturn ( for more on Kronos, see Father Time). Nevertheless, some of the customs associated with Saturnalia later attached themselves to the celebration of Christmas ( see also Kalends). Early Christian writers disapproved of this rowdy Roman revelry. Many of the customs associated with Saturnalia reversed ordinary social rules and roles. The ancient Romans honored the god Saturn in a midwinter festival known as Saturnalia. ![]()
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