When in Rome...celebrate Saturnalia Dec 17, 2019

When in Rome...celebrate Saturnalia

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.

© Joe Daniel Price/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dec 17, 2018We have liftoff!
Dec 17, 2020Pining for spring
Dec 17, 2021Bournemouth beach huts
Dec 17, 2022Mountain goats at Glacier National Park in Montana
Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings in Canada
Dec 17, 2024Traditional red fishermens cabins, Reine, Norway
Dec 17, 2025Eurasian red squirrel in Northumberland, England

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 29, 2018Vacuum Chamber 5 at Glenn Research Center
Nov 1, 2022Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico
Dec 31, 2020Goodbye, 2020!
Jul 10, 2020Italy s submerged village
Apr 10, 2022Siblings Day
Oct 8, 2020An underwater rainbow
Mar 30, 2023Bright and colorful peacock feathers
Jul 29, 2024International Tiger Day
May 3, 2023Wildebeests in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Oct 11, 2019Art in the high desert
Jun 19, 2025Happy Juneteenth!
Feb 7, 2023Village of Labro, Italy
Jan 28, 2021Avatars of the Wolf Moon
Nov 15, 2018‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
Jun 30, 2022Asteroid Day
Apr 6, 2021On the rebirth of the Olympic Games
Nov 12, 2024Arches National Park anniversary
Apr 27, 2020That s quite a schnoz, baby tapir
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Dec 15, 2020A bridge that rocks
Oct 20, 2024International Sloth Day
Sep 24, 2018Mooncake time
Sep 21, 2024Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Nov 22, 2018Tom Turkey takes Manhattan
Sep 7, 2021Whale hello there!
Aug 18, 2023Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Nov 24, 2022Happy Thanksgiving!
Jul 16, 2023Bear Hole Brook, Catskill Mountains, New York
Dec 20, 2021Ministry of Fun Santa School
Aug 27, 2025World Lake Day in the Faroe Islands