Saturnalia artwork
World History Encyclopedia

Saturnalia

  • 05:50
  • December 16th 2020

Saturnalia written by Mark Cartwright and narrated by Saskia Moorrees: https://www.worldhistory.org/Saturnalia/

If you like our audio articles, please support us by becoming a member or donating to our non-profit company:

www.ancient.eu/membership/

www.ancient.eu/donate/

www.patreon.com/ahe

The Saturnalia was an enduring Roman festival dedicated to the agricultural god Saturn which was held between the 17th and 23rd of December each year during the winter solstice. Originating from archaic agricultural rituals the Roman festivities came to include a general round of gift-giving, merrymaking, and role-reversals so that it became one of the most popular celebrations in the calendar and certainly the jolliest. The similarities of some of its features and the timing - pushed later into December over time - suggest a strong influence on the Christian celebration of Christmas.

World History Encyclopedia

We are a non-profit organization publishing the world's most-read history encyclopedia. Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.

We are always looking for volunteers who wish to lend a voice to our articles. You can find out about how to apply as a narrator and we also have a list of most needed narrations.