The Saturnalia were, in ancient Rome, festivals taking place a week before the winter solstice (from December 17 to 23) which celebrated the god Saturn and were accompanied by great popular rejoicing.
Saturnalia, winter solstice festivals
During this time, meals were held, gifts were exchanged, figurines were given to children and green plants were placed in the houses, including holly, mistletoe and ivy.
Several texts refer to Saturn's stay in Latium before the founding of Rome.. The dethroned Saturn is said to have taken refuge in Italy, in Latium, where he gathered the ferocious men scattered in the mountains and gave them laws. His reign was a golden age, his peaceful subjects being governed with gentleness and fairness. The Saturnalia contribute to celebrating the memory of this happy age of the exercise of power.
During the Saturnalia, slaves enjoy an apparent and temporary freedom. Courts and schools are on vacation and executions are prohibited, work ceases
The population flocks to the Aventine Hill. The chains worn by the god are removed from the statue, ever since Jupiter wanted to contain his voracious appetite by subjecting him to the regular rhythm of the stars and the days.
They say that Saturnalia was partly the inspiration for religious or traditional festivals instituted later:
- Christian Christmas Day takes up the symbolism of the winter solstice, that is, the theme of Sol invictus (the unconquered sun);
- the king’s cake, which crowned the “king” of the festival;
- the carnival processions and festivities.
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On this day, the Romans began the Saturn Festival in honor of Saturn. The traditions of these festivities have remained with us in the form of Christmas, the galette des rois and processions and carnivals. #mythology #myth #legend #calendar #December 17 #saturnales #rome #saturn
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