Saturnalia

Saturn's real name is Saturn, or, rather, part of it is Saturn. This has become her web alias. Because of her name, her husband took Mars as his alias. (MArs, MAle - you get it?)

Saturn was the ancient Roman god of agriculture and is equivalent to the Greek god Cronus. He was supposed to have also introduced civilization and morality to the people.

Saturnalia is the festival of Saturn, held at the winter solstice. The festival changed over time, but it is best known to be the seven days from December 17 to December 24. Saturnalia was co-joined with Calends (kalends), to mark the Roman New Year. It is a precursor to Christmas, adopted and changed further by the Christians.

This festival was a happy, festive one, marked by a loosening of restrictions and morals on the people, a time of unrestrained merrymaking and revelry, even rioting. Few people worked during the holidays, mainly bakers and cooks, and shop owners selling gifts. Less formal clothes than the toga were worn, masters sometimes served slaves who joined in on the celebrations, people wore the pilleus (a felt cap that was a symbol of freedom). During later days of the festival, gifts were given mainly to children, but adults also exchanged gifts. Candles and wreaths, as gifts, were common.

Feasting was common in Roman times, and Saturnalia was no exception. A hugh number of sacrafices were made, at Saturn's Temple, especially on the first day; some families made their own scarafices on the second day.

Now, since Roman times, some things have not changed. People still want to let loose. "The Saturnalia" is the Roman festival, but today, "a saturnalia", in general, is a description given to an orgy or other wild celebration or gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity.