These included the Opalia - the festival day for Saturn's consort Ops - on the 19 December and the Sigillaria- the day of present-giving - on the 23 December. Originally a one-day feast at the end of autumn, Saturnalia gradually moved to later and later dates, with longer celebrations, throughout the Roman period.īy the time of Christian conversion it was running into and incorporating a number of festivals.
#Tidiness in the bible cracker#
"You were also not allowed to give lectures at the time, unless they were witty or funny - which could be seen as the origin of cracker jokes." "People would go round the streets and there was merry-making and singing songs, which some people associate with modern carolling," adds Mr Moorhead. So many of our Christian traditions can be traced to Roman mid-winter festivals that a time-travelling centurion would feel quite at home sitting around the table for the Christmas banquet or joining in office party revelries. "The Christian Church appropriated quite a few Pagan festivals and Pagan activities," according to Sam Moorhead, national finds adviser for Iron Age and Roman coins at the British Museum. Over-eating, drinking, singing and gift-giving are all things that we associate with Christmas - another, more modern, season of goodwill. Gambling was allowed and the festival is described as a joyful period.
Families gave each other gifts, and homes were decorated with wreathes and greenery. Saturnalia originated as a farmers' festival and commemorated the dedication of the temple of Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture and the harvest.ĭuring this festival, there was a reversal of traditional roles, with slaves wearing fine garments and sitting at the head of the table. Vestal Virgins and Roman religious cults.Did the cult of Mithras influence Christianity?.The festival is still marked by some Iranians today During Yalda - the birthday of Mithras which is held on 21 December - ancient Persians ate dried fruits and nuts.Viking and Saxon worship of trees - especially the oak, is often cited as the origin of our Christmas trees which first became popular in Germany.Kissing under the Mistletoe is associated with worship of the Viking goddess Frigg.Those who did not join in were considered scrooges and humbugs Over-eating, gambling, drinking, singing and sharing witty tales were all part of Saturnalia celebrations.Houses were also decorated with wreaths of evergreen plants
During the Saturnalia, wax tapers and torches were lit - in a similar way to our advent candles.The Sigillaria - held on the 23 December - was a day of present-giving in ancient Rome.It was the start of a lengthy mid-winter period of merry-making and the season of goodwill - Saturnalia. Homes were decorated, parties held and slaves became masters - at least for one banquet.
"Christmas in December is a Western, Roman idea whereas in the Eastern Church it falls later, around the feast of the Epiphany in early January," explains Dr Matthew Nicholls, senior lecturer in Classics at the University of Reading.įor seven days from the 17 December it was party season in Roman times. Why then do we celebrate his birth in the middle of winter? The Roman mid-winter festival of misrule has heavily influenced many Christmas traditions - including the time of year we celebrate.Īt no point is a date for Jesus's birth given in the Bible, but references to the lambing season have led some theologians to conclude that he was born in spring. "Io Saturnalia!" Two thousand years ago this was the seasonal greeting which would have chimed out across most of Europe, not "Merry Christmas". The ruins of the Temple of Saturn still dominate the west end of the Forum in Rome
0 kommentar(er)
