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In a word fun. The Saturnalia or Winter Festival as it is sometimes called was a kind of release valve for the Romans. Throughout the year they had to act like a "Roman" preserving their dress, dignity and class distinction. When Saturnalia came around, they were able to abandon the pretenses and simply have fun. Society was turned upside down. Masters waited on their slaves and took orders from them (at least for one day). The slaves themselves were allowed to gamble and could come and go as they pleased. They were also given gifts by their masters. Gifts were also exchanged among freeborn friends. Public banquets were given. Practical jokes were played. The festival was in honor of the god Saturn and of course did not begin until the proper rites were performed. It was so popular that it grew to an event lasing fifteen days.
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Roman god feast on 25 December?
Saturn. The 25th of December was called Saturnalia in pre-Christian times.
During what roman holiday did masters serve their slaves?
It was the festival of Saturnalia, sometimes called the Winter Festival. It was the happiest time of the Roman year when everyone joined in, played pranks, exchanged gifts and generally turned life upside down. This included masters serving their slaves, but only for one day. The festival was so popular that it grew to 15 days of merriment.
When did the Romans start getting presents for Christmas?
never Never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never for Christmas as we know it. However the Romans had a winter festival called Saturnalia which began on December 17 and one of the customs at that time was to exchange gifts. Our custom of exchanging Christmas presents is a direct descendant of this Roman custom.
What state or city was chrsitmas celebrated in?
Christmas?Christmas was probably firsst celebrated in ancient Rome or a major Roman city after the empire converted. The festival known as the Saturnalia was already celebrated in winter and was virtually exactly as we know a tradional Christmas to be: Trees brought inside, presents, big meals etc. So they kept the festival but changed it's subject! And it's lasted!
What kind of celebrations did they have in Jesus time?
Since Jesus was Jewish, he would have celebrated such Jewish holidays as Passover, Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and observed the Sabbath. He also celebrated Hanukkah, and this is mentioned in the Gospel of John in the New Testament. In addition, in the Roman empire, there were many celebrations, but Jesus would not have observed them, since they honored Roman gods and goddesses. One very popular Roman festival was the Saturnalia (birth of the Sun god).
Where does the word ''Saturnalia'' came from?
Saturnalia was a wild Roman festival in honour of the god Saturn.
Roman Festival of great revelry in Mid-December?
Saturnalia
Which roman festival did the early Christian church adopt into Christmas?
Saturnalia
Why is saturnalia associated with Valentine's Day?
I'm not aware that it is. The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia was connected with what we now call Christmastime.
What is the name of the ancient roman festival that some say started valentine's day?
Saturnalia
What is saturnalia in Pompeii?
The Saturnalia was a Roman religious festival in honour of the god Saturn held on the 17th of December and later extended to the 23rd of December. It was celebrated in all Roman towns, including Pompeii.
What is the Roman festival of revelry in mid-December?
Saturnalia is this particular festival, though the ancient Romans had several similar festivals throughout the year.
What is the Roman winter festival is called?
Ancient Rome did these to honor the godsit is called a FEst a la muono thaks to chris
Is it true that Christmas traditions came from gay Romans?
No. The Holiday originated as a festival called "Saturnalia" among Roman Pagans, but there was no mention in any records of their sexual orientations.
Why is saturnalia important?
Saturn is the biggest planet of the solar system
Roman god feast on 25 December?
Saturn. The 25th of December was called Saturnalia in pre-Christian times.
What event signaled the Christmas season?
The Romans had a festival called Saturnalia. When the Christians took over they replaced Saturnalia with Christmas and based the holiday on the birth of Jesus.
