Video: Ancient Roman Saturnalia: Festivities when slaves ruled over their masters
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The history of slavery in ancient Rome goes back many centuries. The slaves were considered the property of their masters and were forced to put up with their fate. But every year on December 17 in ancient Rome, Saturnalia was celebrated, and everything turned upside down. The Lord served their slaves, and they expressed everything that they think of them, without fear of retribution the next day.
According to the chronicles of the Roman historian Titus Livius, Saturnalia began to be carried out starting from the 5th century BC. NS. They were arranged in honor of the god Saturn, the patron saint of agriculture. Initially, it was a one-day holiday of peasants working in the fields. Several decades later, it turned into a festival for everyone, lasting up to five days.
The holiday began with a sacrifice to the god Saturn and the loosening of the woolen ties that bound the statue of the deity. When the priest shouted: "Io, Saturnalia", a general revelry began. Death sentences were not enforced, hostilities were suspended, and gambling was officially permitted. But the most incredible thing is that the slaves could feel free during the holiday.
Slaves could put on a cap on their heads, which was only allowed for freed slaves. They got drunk, went to gambling houses. Moreover, in many houses, slaves changed places with their masters. Some even changed into the clothes of their masters, and those, in turn, served the slaves. Servants could tell their masters what they thought of them without fear of consequences the next day.
British religious scholar James George Fraser described the situation as follows:
In 312, Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, and Saturnalia was banned as a pagan holiday.
Slaves occupy a significant part in the history of Ancient Rome. There is still debate about whether the gladiators were weak-willed slaves or brave adventurers.
Recommended:
Gladiators of Ancient Rome: weak-willed slaves or brave adventurers
Weak-willed slaves who were driven into the arena, or adventurers hungry for wealth and blood? Who were the gladiators of ancient Rome? Disputes on this issue continue among historians to this day. Research carried out over the past decades has largely shed light on the history of this bloody sport
How the Romans, Vikings and other ancient peoples chose white slaves
In films of the twentieth century, you can often see a plot with the purchase of a slave by some ancient merchant or aristocrat. Something like "rare beauty!" Is sure to sound, and a close-up shows the look from under thickly colored eyelashes. Only now, the slaves presented as beauties in many real slave markets of the past would not have passed the selection. After all, certain requirements were put forward for slaves
How women-shamans ruled ancient Ireland and where are the megaliths
The history and mythology of the Emerald Isle hides many secrets. One of them is female shamans, under whose domineering influence Ancient Ireland was at one time. What is known about their existence? The answer to this question is incredibly complex and at the same time quite exciting. To do this, you need to immerse yourself in the study of aspects of the spiritual world, far beyond the realm of mortals
How ancient cartographers defended their copyright: Easter eggs on ancient maps
Cartography is one of the most venerable sciences, its age is counted in thousands of years. Since ancient times, people have tried to recreate the outlines of the earth's surface. The earliest cartographic works were found in the North Caucasus and Egypt. Ancient cartographers had their own secrets. Why are ancient maps so unique and what surprises do they surprise modern cartographers?
The short life and stunning fame of the "artist of gallant festivities" Antoine Watteau
There is something inspiring and at the same time tragic in how Antoine Watteau came to success, building his career as an artist solely on the enormous hard work and talent. Neither a lack of funds, nor a lack of academic education, nor belonging to circles far from art, nor a difficult, difficult character, nor even poor health that led to an early death - none of this prevented Watteau from gaining recognition. Three centuries have passed, and the characters in his paintings continue to live and