Friday, December 7, 2018

Io Saturnalia!

Io Saturnalia!

Medfield Latin students gathered yesterday for their annual banquet commemorating the ancient Roman Saturnalia.  For the Romans, this festival honored the god, Saturn. The Romans believed that Saturn ruled Italy during the golden age.  This was a mythical period when all men lived in harmony. Saturn taught the inhabitants agriculture and gave them laws. In time, the Romans honored Saturn with an annual festival.  It was a time of merrymaking, feasting and gift giving. The Roman poet, Catullus, referred to Saturnalia as “the best of days”. In remembrance of the golden age, there was some degree of equality in the households, and slaves were permitted to participate with the family.  Special felt hats were worn, and a king of Saturnalia or princeps Saturnalicius was chosen from among the guests.  At the beginning of the feast, priests unbound the woolen bonds from Saturn’s feet in the temple.  Once sacrifices were offered, a banquet was held. Families and friends came together and exchanged gifts of wax candles.

For Medfield students, Saturnalia is a time to be together and to celebrate their love of Roman culture. The students at Medfield began their celebration with the arrival of Saturn, chosen from one of the Latin IV students.  The consuls led Saturn in procession to the decorated banquet hall and unbound his feet. They solemnly proclaimed the opening of the feast and made a special toast to the Latin students. Dressed in Roman attire, everyone sang Aquifolia Ornate Saturnalia-la-la-la.  The students then sat at tables and donned felt caps from their holiday crackers.  The Latin III students shared a video they made and explained the traditions of Saturnalia. Following the meal, the Latin IV students debuted their own movie.  This year was “How Pliny Stole Saturnalia” based on the popular Grinch movies. Pliny, a famous Roman author and notorious Saturnalian humbug claimed that he hated the holiday.  After the film, the princeps Saturnalicius was chosen from among the Latin I students.  Then came dessert followed by Trivia which the Latin II students organized.  To end the night, the senior Latin students came together, and the consuls offered a special toast with words of remembrance for their classmates.  All the students then joined them in singing Sodalitatis Veteris to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, a traditional Scottish song about remembering old friendships and cherished memories.
-Io Saturnalia!







No comments:

Post a Comment