Io Saturnalia! One big party or the ancestor of Christmas? By Alison Morton Saturnalia was THE most important Roman festival. Heavy on feasting, fun and gifts, it was originally celebrated in Ancient Rome for only a day around 17 December (today!), but it was so popular it expanded into a week or even longer, despite Augustus’ efforts to reduce it to three days, and Caligula’s, to five. Like today’s Christmas, this holy day (feriae publicae) had a serious origin: for the Romans, it was to honour the god of sowing, Saturn. Romans were a superstitious lot; like many ancient cultures, religious ceremonies and observances held an important place in their lives. But also like modern Christmas, it was a festival day (dies festus). After sacrifice at the temple, there was a public banquet, which Livy says was introduced in 217 BC. Afterwards, according to the poet Macrobius, the celebrants shouted ‘Io, Saturnalia‘ at a riotous feast in the temple. Modern mid-winter habits echo Roman ones – increased, often 20
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