Today, December 17th, marks the beginning of the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. It was a delightful holiday, lasting through December 23rd, in honor of the pre-Olympian titan Saturn. It recalled a Golden Age in which institutions such as slavery did not exist. As such, during Saturnalia, the slave-masters actually reversed the roles and waited on tables for their slaves. It was a time of games, gambling, and partying. In my Latin classes, I use the final day before Winter Break to have a Saturnalia party, in which I will serve each of them with a Twizzler and sing Christmas Carols in Latin. So let the games begin! Io Saturnalia! One and All! ________________________________________________________________ If you're interested in Latin or ancient history, or even just an entertaining read, check out the time-travel thriller In Saecula Saeculorum. Click to learn more. It's a bargain at 0.99 cents on Kindle (or affordably priced at $11.90 on paperback). You'll travel back to ancient Rome on a harrowing mission to save the modern world. It's the adventure of four lifetimes. ________________________________________________________________
