What began as a one-day festival later became a weeklong holiday from 17-23 December. To celebrate the occasion, people decorated their homes, played games and gave presents. Sound familiar? Here’s how to bring a Roman touch to your seasonal festivities this year:
1. Decorate your home with greenery. Long before the introduction of Christmas trees, Romans used wreaths and other decorations made from natural sources to bring Saturnalia into their dwellings.
2. Saturnalia was the season of gift-giving. Pottery or wax figures known as sigillaria were given, as well as wax taper candles, known as cerei. They marked the returning of lighter days after the winter solstice. You can find a Roman-inspired scented candle complete with its own terracotta amphora in the Roman Baths shop, along with many other Christmas gifts and decorations.
3. Celebrate for seven days. Although the length of Saturnalia varied during the Roman period, most people spent a week not working and instead feasting and having fun. Perhaps they also visited their favourite bath house? The Roman Baths will be open throughout the festive season, except 25 and 26 December.
4. Wear informal clothes. Romans put away their togas and wore everyday clothing known as synthesis. Meet our costumed characters around the Great Bath and find out what they will be wearing for Saturnalia.
5. Play games. Popular Roman games included Merels, a board game with counters and Dux, which is a little like Draughts. Visit the Learning Hub on our website for instructions on how to play some of these games.
6. Hide coins or small objects around the house. Originally, Romans hid coins in cakes. The person who found the coin became ‘king’ or Saturnalicius princeps “leader of Saturnalia.” As the mock king it was their role to make mischief during the celebrations, just like some modern-day pantomime characters. If you visit the Roman Baths on Saturday 16 December, young visitors can join in with a pantomime-themed family craft.
7. Sharing food and drink with all the household was key to Saturnalia, especially as it celebrated the god of harvest. The pop-up bar by the Great Bath will be selling hot and cold drinks on weekends in December, and the Pump Room Restaurant is offering a special Christmas afternoon tea and candlelit evening dining.
8. Pick up some tips from the Romans. Our costumed characters will be getting ready for Saturnalia at the Roman Baths. Listen to their stories about how this winter festival was celebrated two thousand years ago.
