Doble_Rick_Winter_Solstice_Saturnalia_Christmas.pdf (822.73 kB)
Winter Solstice Celebrations: Roman Saturnalia and Modern Christmas by Rick Doble
The Romans had a very different way of calculating the winter solstice and also a different perception of its meaning. Nevertheless customs from the Roman Saturnalia festival have been passed down and are part of modern Christmas traditions. This paper examines Roman science and understanding of the winter solstice and also how traditions from its Saturnalia festival were incorporated into modern day Christmas.