La saturnalia license#
It was license within careful boundaries it reversed the social order without subverting it. The banquet, for example, would often be prepared by the slaves, and they would prepare their masters' dinner as well. Saturnalia became one of the most popular Roman festivals which led to more tomfoolery, marked chiefly by having masters and slaves ostensibly switch places. A Saturnalicius princeps was elected master of ceremonies for the proceedings. The slaves celebrated a banquet: before, with, or served by the masters. Slaves were exempt from punishment, and treated their masters with disrespect.
colorful, informal "dinner clothes" and the pileus (freedman's hat) was worn by everyone. The toga was not worn, but rather the synthesis, i.e. It was a time to eat, drink, and be merry. Gambling was allowed for all, even slaves however, although it was officially condoned only during this period, one should not assume that it was rare or much remarked upon during the rest of the year. The celebrations included a school holiday, the making and giving of small presents ( saturnalia et sigillaricia) and a special market ( sigillaria).
Besides the public rites there were a series of holidays and customs celebrated privately.
It involved the conventional sacrifices, a couch ( lectisternium) set out in front of the temple of Saturn and the untying of the ropes that bound the statue of Saturn during the rest of the year. The Saturnalia was a large and important public festival in Rome.
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