![]() After the feast there were gladiator fights that saw all the social strata together. Behind the statue was a whole crowd of amused Romans who was going to take part in a big banquet on the forum. ![]() Next, the priests made a sacrifice from the pig in front of the temple, and the senators entered the building, took out a wooden statue of Saturn and carried it on the forum, where it was placed on a special Roman sofa, which was usually rested in the households. There are also messages that the statue was hollow and filled with olive oil. At the time of Saturnalia the bonds were loosened to symbolize the god’s liberation and beginning of the holiday. Before the entrance to the temple was a statue of Saturn, who had his feet tied around with woolen bonds. At the beginning of Saturnalia, in front of the Temple of Saturn on the Capitol Hill, a crowd of Romans gathered. The time was filled with official and home ceremonies in honor of the gods, lavish banquets, family feasts, giving away gifts.ĭecember 17 commemorated foundation of the temple of Saturn in Rome, the equivalent of the Greek Kronos. In addition, everyone wore special leather hats ( pileus), which every day were worn by freedmen to show that they were free people. Thus, everyone: slaves, freedmen and citizens were dressed the same, which proved equality for the duration of the festival. On the first day of Saturnalia, the running of all economic activity was suspended was free from work, public duties, and citizens resigned from their everyday attire to ordinary tunics. Saturnalia lasted only a day in the early period, but then was celebrated for seven days. It was a day of reconciliation and equality. This was celebrated in honor of the god of agriculture, wealth, freedom – Saturn and lasted from 17 to 23 December. Saturnalia was the annual oldest and most popular Roman festival. At the time, the running of all economic activity was suspended, and the slaves celebrated with free people. Rome’s contacts with Africa and Far EastĪve, Caesar! Io, Saturnalia!, Lawrence Alma-Tadema.
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