Saturnalia

December 17-24th

Held in honour of the God Saturn

This was a Roman winter celebration, where there was much merry making as most Roman celebrations had.

Small gifts were made and given between people

Feasting, drinking, gambling and nudity were common place during these days

There were holidays from school and market was held

Criminals could not be punished during this time and battles must not be fought

In early times human were sacrificed but over time this became effigies and animals, who were always sacrificed with their heads covered

The statue of Saturn was unbound during these days, whilst the rest of the year he was bound to represent his subservience to Jupiter