This was the Saturnalia, the Roman pagan celebration that is attributed to the origin of the Christmas celebration

Delicious banquets, lots of wine and naked bodies, that’s how the celebrations of the last days of the year were in the splendor of the Roman Empire.

The ancient inhabitants of Rome honored the god Saturn, of agriculture, also known as Cronos in ancient Greece. To worship him, the Romans called his eccentric festivals “saturnalia”.

Julian and Gregorian calendar, what are their differences

“Everything that is serious is prohibited”

It is known that the Saturnalia were days and nights of excesses and catharsis. There were no rules and everyone could do whatever they wanted with whoever they wanted in public. The streets were filled with carriage races, betting, singing, and people indulging in pleasure.

In addition to being considered a holiday, it was a sacred day for priests and the aristocracy. “All that is serious is forbidden” was the motto of the Romans.

The Saturnalia were presided over by a king, chosen especially for the occasion, but the social structure of the empire lost value on these dates. The elites shared with the servants and there was no distinction of gender, age or social class.

Slaves were allowed to enjoy themselves just like free citizens, get drunk in public and wear different clothes. Citizens also put aside their formal cloaks to be immersed in the festivities.

A tradition of the Saturnalia was the delivery of gifts, especially candles or terracotta figurines at the end of the festivities.

Christmas

Since the year V BC, the celebrations of Saturn took place in the week of December 17 to 23, as proclaimed by César Augusto. When Caligula came to power, the festivities lasted for two weeks.

Only in the fourth century after the birth of Christ, the Catholic Church set a day to celebrate Jesus. According to popular culture, December 25 was the ideal day.

When the Church took the reins of the celebration, Christmas already became a day to honor Jesus. The days of hedonism are in the past and the tradition of excess is gone with the Roman Empire. Little by little, the Catholic rituals that now take place in December were established, such as the Christmas Novena. (YO)