It released the pressure of the rigid social structures, as slaves were even allowed to joke around with their masters and show insolence, albeit for a short period of time. Whilst it is a pleasant image to think of the slaves and masters’ power dynamics being reversed for a while, it also reinforces their roles and highlights their power dynamics as it was such a reversal for them to play at another role in society for a short while. saturnalia (plural saturnalias) A period or occasion of general license, in which the passions or vices have riotous indulgence a period of unrestrained revelry. This reinforces the idea of social norms and hierarchies being suspended in the festive period, but it is also a time-limited tradition: as soon as Saturnalia is over the slaves return to work and are not allowed the luxuries afforded to them during the Saturnalia period. At some tables, the masters even served the slaves food whilst they sat at the head of the table typically reserved for the free citizens. Perhaps more peculiar is the tradition of Roman citizens wearing the pilleus, a felt-cap typically worn by freed-man and slaves who were about to be freed. During Saturnalia, slaves were allowed to dine and celebrate with their masters, rather than having to work. Saturnalia noun an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn orgy, debauch, debauchery, saturnalia, riot, bacchanal, bacchanalia, drunken revelry noun a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: Saturnalia noun A holiday to mark the winter solstice. Role reversal was important to the Saturnalia celebrations, and none of the traditions is more curious than the reversal of masters and slaves.
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