Saturnalia
was a period of the year that was one of great festivity for the pagan Romans.
The four day celebration of Saturnalia began on December 17th with the feast of
the god Saturn, the Roman deity of seed and sowing.
“The Roman Saturnalia was characterized by processions, singing, lighting
candles, adorning houses with laurels and green trees, giving presents.”
Many of these have passed into modern day Christmas celebrations.
A major part of the pagan Saturnalia festival was ritual turning everything
upside-down which abolished for a short while the distinction of ranks, a
reversal of all order and dignities where slaves were served by masters,
soldiers served by their officers, a tradition which is still carried out today
in the British armed forces.
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