History of saturnalia5/29/2023 ![]() ![]() Traditionally, people gave each other simple figurines made of wood, terracotta, or wax. The last day of the festival (December 23) was known as the Sigillaria (which means the ‘Day of Little Figurines’). One Saturnalia practice which bears an uncanny resemblance to a Christmas tradition is the giving of gifts. ( Public Domain ) Saturnalia was a “time-off” for slaves when they were allowed to wear nice clothes, to sit at the head of the table, and to gamble. Roman fresco of dice players from the Osteria della Via di Mercurio in Pompeii. The ‘King of Misrule’ would have temporary authority to command the male head of the family, the paterfamilias, to do his bidding. Thus, slaves were allowed to wear nice clothes, to sit at the head of the table, to gamble, and basically to have time-off.Īdditionally, a ‘King of Misrule’ was selected in each household on this day, and slaves were eligible as well. For example, slaves would be treated as equals in remembrance of the Golden Age, when slavery was not known. ![]()
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