Saturnalia Collection

Roman orgy to celebrate the Saturnalia
Roman men and women having an orgy to celebrate the Saturnalia, held in honour of the god Saturn. Date: circa 1st century

Winter or The Saturnalia, 1783. Creator: Callet, Antoine-François
Winter or The Saturnalia, 1783. Found in the Collection of the Musee du Louvre, Paris

South America, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro city, costumed dancers at carnival in the Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai

Lord of Misrule, a Tudor celebration (coloured engraving)
3245362 Lord of Misrule, a Tudor celebration (coloured engraving) by British School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures

A dance at the Saturnalia festival or party on the terrace of the Excelsior Hotel, Lido, Venice, 1924 Date: 1924

Saturnalia festival or party on the terrace of the Excelsior
The Saturnalia festival or party on the terrace of the Excelsior Hotel, Lido, Venice, 1924 Date: 1924

The Temple of Fortune, known as the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Jupiter Tonans
STC384826 The Temple of Fortune, known as the Temple of Concord and the Temple of Jupiter Tonans, 1833 (etching with brown wash) by Tofanelli

Roman banquet to celebrate the Saturnalia
A Roman banquet to celebrate the Saturnalia, 17-19 December. Date: circa 100 BC

SATURNALIA
Romans celebrate the festival of the SATURNALIA which occurred in December and was the forerunner of the Christians Christmas

A Roman Feast (Saturnalia), Second Half of the 19th cen Creator: Bompiani, Roberto (1821-1908)
A Roman Feast (Saturnalia), Second Half of the 19th cen.. Found in the Collection of J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Saturnalia is a prosauropod dinosaur from the Triassic period

Ancient Romans celebrating the Saturnalia
An Ancient Roman noble and his friends celebrate the Saturnalia, 17-19 December

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Saturnalia: A Roman Orgy of Festivity and Merriment Step back in time to ancient Rome, where the air was filled with excitement and indulgence during the Saturnalia festival. This extravagant celebration, held in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture and liberation, brought forth a whirlwind of revelry that would make even Bacchus blush. Imagine yourself transported to South America's vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro during its world-renowned carnival. Here, echoes can be found as costumed dancers take to the streets in a riotous display of color and rhythm. The energy is infectious as they embody the spirit of this ancient tradition. In Tudor England, another form of mischievous merrymaking took place under the guise of Lord Misrule. Colored engravings depict scenes from these festivities where chaos reigned supreme. Laughter echoed through grand halls as lords and servants swapped roles for a day, embracing an upside-down world. Atop terraces adorned with garlands at Excelsior lies yet another scene reminiscent of Saturnalia's opulence. Friends gather for an unforgettable party bathed in luxury while paying homage to Fortune herself within temples dedicated to Concord and Jupiter Tonans. Indulging further into this lavish affair, picture yourself seated at a sumptuous Roman banquet celebrating all that Saturnalia represents - freedom from social norms and unbridled joy shared among friends old and new. Wine flows freely as laughter fills the air amidst decadent feasts fit for gods themselves. Now return once more to Rio de Janeiro's bustling streets during carnival season; here we find Fabia Borges dazzling onlookers with her mesmerizing headdress adorned with feathers that seem touched by magic itself. She embodies both past traditions fused with modern exuberance – a testament to how celebrations evolve over time but never lose their essence. Saturnalia lives on through these glimpses into its rich history and the echoes heard in modern-day festivities.