Pliny the Younger writes that he retired to his room while the rest of the household celebrated. Catullus describes it as optimus dierum, the best of days, and Seneca says that all Rome seemed to go mad during this time. The Saturnalia was the most popular holiday of the Roman year. From the reign of Caligula, the holiday extended to five days, although it seems that everyone continued to celebrate for seven. Augustus attempted to limit it to three (so the civil courts would not have to be closed any longer than necessary). Afterwards, according to Macrobius, the celebrants shouted "Io, Saturnalia!" In Cicero's time, the Saturnalia lasted seven days (December 17-23). After sacrifice at the temple, there was a public banquet, convivium publicum, which Livy says was introduced in 217 BC (there also may have been a lectisternium, a banquet for the god in which its image is placed in attendance, as if a guest). It also was a dies festus or festival day. The Temple of Saturn, the oldest temple recorded by the pontifices, was dedicated on the Saturnalia, and the woolen bonds which fettered the feet of the ivory cult statue within were loosened on that day to symbolize the liberation of the god. Saturn, himself, was identified with Kronos, and sacrificed to according to Greek ritual, with the head uncovered. In the Roman calendar, the Saturnalia was designated a feriae publicae, a holy day (holiday) on which religious rites were performed. Ian.), midway between two other agricultural festivals: the Consualia, which celebrated the opening of the granaries and was in honor of Consus, god of the granary, and the Opalia, honoring Ops, who personified abundance and the fruits of the earth, and was the consort of Saturn. The Saturnalia officially was celebrated on December 17 (a.d. Now, at the time of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian calendar), Saturnus, the god of seed and sowing, was honored with a festival. "May we each find solace in the celebration of these days together, knowing that we are, as the Old Romans once were, living proof that Rome will never fall as long as we love her."įeaudrey had asked whether there could be a brief nota today, as we Romans celebrate the Saturnalia, and so there shall be.īy the beginning of December, writes Columella, the farmer should have finished his autumn planting. Since we likely cannot join each other in person, I hereby raise my cup to you all, and offer this toast. I am sure we would raise a glass or two to each other and the citizenry at large. If I could transport you all to these humble rooms we could relive the glory of our beloved Rome together. Everyone would be encouraged to sing, laugh and enjoy.And there would be gifts for all. Such fun,food and amphorae of Falernian we would have!! We would persuade feaudrey to delight our palates with her gastronomic wonders, and coax Canis to regale us with more episodes of London and Freddy.And Alius could tell us again of our City's past glories. I myself have found the frustrations of the game rather unsettling at times.īut now, with the holiday season here, I can only wish that you all could come to our domus for feasting and merriment. Too many episodes of attempting to avoid the zealous troops in the Forum, I think, has given many that once flocked to our Rostra, a bad turn, and they come no more. The candles, the sparkling decorating trim upon the noble tree lends a warm glow to the rooms that has been needed. My wonderful spouse has found the perfect spot in our domus for the traditional evergreen, and has 'decked the halls' with boughs of the same. Have spent a delightful day preparing for the festivities. Making the segue from Chapter One to Chapter Two. What you hate (and maybe even like) about Ch.Need help in Rome? Here are questions and answers!.Ch 2 Topics - Key, Torch, Pieces 1-5 and 7.EVERYONE HAS GONE TO ANCIENTSITES.COM!!!.Is this game ever going to be debugged?.
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