Saturnalia: Ancient Rome's Winter Solstice Festival of Reversal and Revelry
Saturnalia, a Roman festival held every year from December 17th, celebrated Saturn, the deity associated with agriculture, wealth, and freedom. Instituted in 45 BCE, the festivities took place at the Temple of Saturn, which was constructed in 497 BCE and functioned as the state treasury. This event honored the Golden Age of Saturn and included rituals that reversed societal roles, where slaves were served by their masters, erasing class differences. The celebration commenced with a public sacrifice, followed by the removal of woolen ties from Saturn's statue. Activities featured feasting, gambling, and the election of a 'King of Saturnalia.' Participants exchanged gifts known as sigillaria and donned colorful attire, with decorations of greenery and candles. By the Late Republic, the holiday had extended to a week, thought to promote military victories and plentiful harvests.
Key facts
- Saturnalia was a Roman festival honoring the god Saturn, held annually in mid-December.
- Celebrations began on December 17th after the Julian calendar reform in 45 BCE.
- The Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, built in 497 BCE, was the central site.
- Social hierarchies were suspended: masters served slaves and class distinctions were abolished.
- Rituals included a public sacrifice, a festive banquet, gambling, and gift exchanges.
- Participants wore colorful synthesis costumes and the pileus cap, a symbol of freedom.
- Gifts called sigillaria were exchanged, often being wax or pottery figurines.
- The festival lasted up to a week and aimed to secure agricultural and military success.
Entities
Artists
- Jean Grandjean
- Hendrik Goltzius
- Polidoro da Caravaggio
- Antoine Callet
- Roberto Bompiani
Institutions
- Albertina Museum
- Getty Museum
- Wikimedia Commons
- Senate
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Vienna
- Austria
- Roman Forum
- Pompeii