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:

Jun 28, 2018A unique perspective from Italy’s ‘golden sands’
May 7, 2021Deep in the North Woods wetlands
Dec 11, 2024International Mountain Day
Jul 21, 2021An octagonal architectural treasure
Nov 24, 2021Chocolate Hills
Feb 27, 2025International Polar Bear Day
Sep 29, 2023Mid-Autumn Festival
Jul 27, 2023Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre Pyramid
Feb 8, 2026Corfu at night, Greece
Mar 29, 2019A place called ‘Peace’ in India
Mar 25, 2025Tolkien Reading Day
Jun 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Nov 26, 2018A little bit of Wonderland in New York City
Aug 24, 2022Ukrainian Independence Day
Jan 27, 2023Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba
Jul 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Aug 22, 2019Dancing waters of Dubai
Mar 22, 2019Fresh water on the Silk Road
Feb 9, 2024Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Oct 3, 2018Monarch butterflies migrate south
Nov 18, 2019Swimming with the sea cows
Jan 12, 2022Take the Stairs Day
Oct 13, 2019Acadia transformed
Apr 16, 2022National Park Week begins
Oct 13, 2023Vieste, Apulia, Italy
Aug 12, 2022World Elephant Day
Sep 11, 2019A tower of remembrance
Mar 28, 2018Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton, Utah
May 16, 2020Let s run em up!
Apr 14, 2019A view fit for a queen