29. Celebrating the Saturnalia: Religious Ritual and Roman Domestic Life
- Beryl Rawson
Published Online: 21 MAR 2011
DOI: 10.1002/9781444390766.ch29
Copyright © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Book Title

A Companion to Families in the Greek and Roman Worlds
Additional Information
How to Cite
Dolansky, F. (2010) Celebrating the Saturnalia: Religious Ritual and Roman Domestic Life, in A Companion to Families in the Greek and Roman Worlds (ed B. Rawson), Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi: 10.1002/9781444390766.ch29
Publication History
- Published Online: 21 MAR 2011
- Published Print: 17 DEC 2010
Book Series:
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9781405187671
Online ISBN: 9781444390766
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- celebrating the Saturnalia - religious ritual and Roman domestic life;
- Cicero's estimation, the family's religious rituals (ritus or sacra familiae) - importance, preserved from generation to generation;
- Cicero's claims, importance of sacra familiae - specific domestic rite, the Saturnalia, the best-known Roman family festival;
- celebrating the Saturnalia - idealized celebration within the domus;
- customs and conventions - of the Saturnalia feast;
- evidence for freeborn children - at the Saturnalia table, being scanty;
- ancient and modern cultures - primary functions of dinner, socializing children to accepted habits and values;
- origins and functions of limited license and role reversal;
- freeborn masters, needing outlets - dealing with tensions slavery produced;
- The Saturnalia, the year's most anticipated holiday - “the best of days” according to Catullus
Summary
This chapter contains sections titled:
Introduction
Celebrating the Saturnalia: An Overview
Customs and Conventions of the Saturnalia Feast
The Origins and Functions of Limited License and Role Reversal
Conclusions
Further Reading