29. Celebrating the Saturnalia: Religious Ritual and Roman Domestic Life

  1. Beryl Rawson
  1. Fanny Dolansky Assistant Professor

Published Online: 21 MAR 2011

DOI: 10.1002/9781444390766.ch29

A Companion to Families in the Greek and Roman Worlds

A Companion to Families in the Greek and Roman Worlds

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

Author Information

  1. Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Publication History

  1. Published Online: 21 MAR 2011
  2. Published Print: 17 DEC 2010

ISBN Information

Print ISBN: 9781405187671

Online ISBN: 9781444390766

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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