Calendar of Events for the month of:
This month our speakers will focus on the upcoming Roman holiday, the Saturnalia.
Day 1: Nakht-ankh of Abydos will talk about the Egyptian antecedents of the Saturnalia. The Egyptians have long celebrated the rebirth of the sun in a 12 day midwinter festival. The length of the holiday and the use of palms with 12 shoots are used to symbolize the 12 months of the solar year. The midwinter festival also celebrates the birth of Horus (who can be seen to represent the earthly king) who is in turn the son of Isis (the divine mother-figure).
Day 8: Datuvahya of Susa will discuss the Persian Sacaea festival. The Sacaea is based on the older Babylonian festival of renewal. As in Babylonian times, the festival includes the temporary reversal of order. Masters and servants exchange places for one day and a mock king is selected. Masquerades and revelry fill the streets.
Day 15: Annius of Cumae will highlight the traditions of the Saturnalia. The Roman Saturnalia combines the Egyptian and Persian/Babylonian festivals of renewal into a new festival that celebrates the ancient Roman god of the seeds, sowing, and time, Saturnus. During the seven days of the festival, from December 17th to December 25th, quarrels are forgotten, slaves can do as they please and can eat with their masters. Some masters even serve their slaves. A mock king, the Lord of Misrule, is selected. Feasts include the appetizer or gustatio (usually vegetables, seafood, and egg dishes), the main course or mensae primae (various roasted and broiled meats), and dessert or mensae secundae (fruit, cakes, custards, etc.). Mulsam, a sweet honeyed wine, usually starts the meal. Resined and unresined wines are then served during the feast. Gifts or strenae are exchanged for good luck. Originally, lucky fruits were exchanged. Now, gifts include lucky cakes, clay or dough dolls, and small wax tapers to protect people from the spirits of darkness. Streets and parties are filled with masquerades and even cross-dressers. The festival culminates on December 25th, which is the Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun.
Day 22: Cornelius of Caesarea will review the different midwinter festivals of renewal and talk about what they have in common. From this discussion he will draw some conclusions about how we can avoid the excesses of some revellers and have a safe and uplifting season of renewal.
We wish you all a joy-filled holiday season!
Sources:
Sacaea Information from Candlegrove.com
Christmas Feasts, Lorna J. Sass, New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1981.
4000 Years of Christmas, Earl W. Count, New York: Henry Schuman, 1948.
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