Saturnalia: The Roman Festival

Saturnalia was a popular Roman festival starting on December 17th, celebrating liberty and social order reversal. It involved rituals at the Temple of Saturn, feasts, games, and role reversals between slaves and owners. The festival extended for a week, including gift exchanges and the feast of Opalia. Saturnalia was marked by widespread celebrations, gambling, and personalized gift-giving, with preparations taking most of December.

What was the main theme of the Saturnalia festival?

• Celebrating military victories

• Honoring the Roman Senate

• Upending the social order

• Worshiping the sun god

What marked the official beginning of Saturnalia?

• A gladiatorial game

• The removal of wool wrappings from Saturn's statue

• The lighting of candles

• A speech by the Emperor

What was a unique feature of the gladiatorial games during Saturnalia?

• They were free to attend

• They were held indoors

• They featured only male gladiators

• They included women or dwarf gladiators

What was the role of the Saturnalicius Princeps during the festival?

• To lead the gladiatorial games

• To oversee the feasting

• To give humorous commands

• To organize the gift exchange

How were social norms regarding slaves altered during Saturnalia?

• Slaves were given new clothes

• Slaves were freed permanently

• Slaves could speak disrespectfully to their owners

• Slaves were not allowed to participate in the festival

What was the feast of the Opalia dedicated to?

• The end of the harvest season

• The beginning of winter

• Honoring Saturn's wife, Ops

• Celebrating the Roman Senate

What was a common gift exchanged during Saturnalia?

• Jewelry

• Livestock

• Sigillaria, small humanoid figurines

• Gold coins

What was expected along with a gift during Saturnalia?

• A monetary donation

• A formal dinner invitation

• A public announcement

• A personalized note or poem

How did people prepare for Saturnalia?

• By attending religious ceremonies

• By spending most of December getting ready

• By decorating their homes

• By fasting for a week

What happened after Saturnalia ended?

• A new festival began

• Life returned to normal

• A week of mourning followed

• The Emperor gave a speech