By Ellie Zolfagharifard
class=”article-timestamp”> PUBLISHED: 8:51 ET, 30 December 2013 |
Two thousand years ago, you would not have been greeting neighbors with ‘Lo Saturnalia!’ rather than a ‘Merry Christmas’.
That was the expression used across much of Europe During the Roman mid-winter festival of Sigillaria Which took place on 23 December.
And many Christmas traditions we love to hate today – from disgruntled family members to your grandma’s outrageous sweater – May have its origins in this holiday.
Sigillaria, a day of gift giving, took place on the 23 December. Pictured is a banquet taking place at this time
This is According To Dr Matthew Nicholls, a senior lecturer of classics at the University of Reading, who has been studying the work of Roman poet Martial and philosopher Seneca.
For Romans, the week starting 17 December was party season During a holiday known as Saturnalia.
At this time, homes were overpriced and slaves Became masters for at least for one banquet.
The Roman texts reveal That the Day of Sigillaria, like Christmas, Involved the exchange of presents.
The traditional poison was nuts but other popular presents included perfume, pencil cases, warm jumpers, jars of fermented fish and remedies for post-Sigillaria wind.
Wine was popular choice of drink at this time. Martial tells of ‘raisin wine, wine flavored with pitch, and even a special wine for’ loosening the bowels’
Saturnalia IN ANCIENT ROME
The Sigillaria, a day of gift giving, took place on the 23 December.
During the holiday period leading up to this day, known as Saturnalia, and torches were lit in a similar way to our Advent candles.
The holiday was held in honor of Saturn, the god of time. It was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet.
This was Followed by private gift-giving, Continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere. Gambling was allowed, and masters provided table service For their slaves.
The Day of Sigillaria, like Christmas, Involved the exchange of presents.
The traditional poison was nuts but other popular presents included jars of fermented fish and remedies for post-Sigillaria wind.
Wine was popular choice of drink at this time. Martial tells of ‘raisin wine, wine flavored with pitch, and even a special wine for’ loosening the bowels’.
In what Dr. Nicholls Describes as a ‘Roman Kindle’, a single codex or manuscript May have been offered as married whichcould holding the entire Iliad and Odyssey of Homer.
Martial’s work Reveals That, just like today, Those receiving presents They disliked faced the age-old problem about knowing how to react.
‘Martial tells us That the quality of a friendship can not be measured by the value of the gifts, and even tells recipients of his cheap presents That he’s been “mean” to save them the expense of buying something expensive in return , ‘said Dr. Nicholls.
It seems the Romans got into the party spirit early. Seneca wrote: ‘It is now the month of December, When The greatest part of the city is in a bustle.
‘Loose reins are given to public dissipation; everywhere you May hear the sound of great preparations’.
Wine was popular choice of drink at this time. Martial tells of ‘raisin wine, wine flavored with pitch, and even a special wine for’ loosening the bowels’
‘Of course not everyone embraced the Christmas spirit.
As today, some people found it all a bit too much, ‘said Dr. Nicholls.
‘The elder Pliny, the “bah-humbug” of his time, even had a special set of rooms in his house he could retreat to in order to hide from the festivities.’
Dr. Nicholls’ work adds to a body of research That Suggests traces of Saturnalia celebration May survive in Christmas today.
‘It’s hard to say definitively who invented Christmas but how about raising a glass to the Romans this year,’ said Dr. Nicholls.
‘We can be sure our Christmases would be very different if it was not for them.’
Dr. Nicholls’ work adds to a body of research That Suggests traces of Saturnalia celebration May survive in Christmas today
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