![]() ![]() ![]() In medieval times he was known as the Roman god of dance, agriculture, justice and strength he is often portrayed holding a sickle or scythe in one hand and a bundle of wheat in the other. ![]() Saturn (Latin: Saturnus) was a major Roman god of agriculture and harvest, whose reign was depicted as a Golden Age of abundance and peace by many Roman authors. The customary greeting for the occasion is a "Io, Saturnalia!"-Io (pronounced "e-o") being a Latin interjection related to "ho" (as in "Ho, praise to Saturn"). It was license within careful boundaries it reversed the social order without subverting it. Yet the reversal of the social order was mostly superficial the banquet, for example, would often be prepared by the slaves, and they would prepare their masters' dinner as well. The slaves celebrated a banquet: before, with, or served by the masters. Slaves were exempt from punishment, and treated their masters with (a pretense of) disrespect. The toga was not worn, but rather colorful and informal 'dinner clothes ' and the pileus (a freedman's hat: close-fitting and brimless, a little like a fez) was worn by everyone. Saturnalia was a time to eat, drink, and be merry. Gambling was allowed for all, even slaves. The celebrations included a school holiday, the making and giving of small presents (saturnalia et sigillaricia) and a special market (sigillaria). Besides the public rites there were a series of holidays and customs celebrated privately. A Saturnalicius princeps was elected master of ceremonies for the proceedings. Saturnalia involved the conventional sacrifices, a couch (lectisternium) set out in front of the temple of Saturn and the untying of the ropes that bound the statue of Saturn during the rest of the year. These attempts caused uproar and massive revolts among the Roman citizens. Augustus tried to reduce it to three days, and Caligula to five (Party poopers! How did these guys get the reputation of being Hell-raisers?). Efforts to shorten the celebration were unsuccessful. Originally celebrated for a day, on December 17 (to-day!), its popularity saw it grow until it became a week-long extravaganza, ending on the 23rd. Saturnalia was introduced around 217 BCE to raise citizen morale after a crushing military defeat at the hands of the Carthaginians. It was marked by tomfoolery, mayhem, merriment and the reversal of social roles, in which slaves and masters ostensibly switched places (much like the Lord of Misrule in later Medieval Christian celebrations). Saturnalia became one of the most popular Roman festivals. To-day marks the start of Saturnalia, an Ancient Roman festival that was held in honor of the god Saturn. ![]()
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