We"re looking at the Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest structures of the Forum in Rome. It was here that ancient Romans began their celebrations of Saturnalia, which started on December 17. Both the temple and the festival are dedicated to the agricultural god Saturn, whose reign was associated with a golden age of prosperity and peace. Saturnalia festivities kicked off with a sacrifice at the temple, followed by a public banquet and a week of general merrymaking. Activities included gambling, eating, drinking, and playing music. Businesses and schools closed, and even slaves were free from work and allowed to participate in the festivities. Many Saturnalia customs evolved into Christmas traditions, such as gift giving, decorating homes with wreaths, and drinking spiced wine.
When in Rome...celebrate Saturnalia
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
2022 Winter Paralympics
-
A view fit for a queen
-
Art over Amalfi
-
A hit ballet, long after its debut
-
Ancient art in the Amazon
-
Take a hike near Lovers Lane
-
It s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
-
To Sua Ocean Trench
-
Valentines Day
-
Honoring our veterans
-
National Museum of African American History and Culture
-
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
-
Going head-to-head with winter
-
Happy Bee Day to you
-
Lanterns alight in Pingxi
-
Swinging into International Jazz Day
-
Brocken spectre in Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria
-
Giving Tuesday
-
National Bison Day
-
A storied trail marks a century
-
Corfe gets creepy
-
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan Province, China
-
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
-
Reflections of the night sky
-
Go by Kehinde Wiley
-
A bridge too Fawr
-
The National Museum of the American Indian
-
Hey neighbor, it s World Space Week!
-
Illuminating Annecy
-
The last thing seen by Wile E. Coyote