“Here is a candle for you — may it bring light in the days of Saturn!”

Martial "Epigrammata"

For us, Christmas is a time to suspend the usual order: light in the middle of winter, roles reversed, softness instead of severity, hope between the past and the future. A few days when it is allowed to be different from what everyday life requires.

In ancient Rome, such a pause was the Saturnalia.

During this December holiday, boundaries were blurred: slaves sat down at the table with their masters, the laws were temporarily silent, and the city remembered the mythical Golden Age of Saturn - a world of equality and abundance. But everyone knew: the holiday would pass, and order would return.

In this fragile time lives Fabia - a young woman from the ancient Fabian family, raised in the spirit of honor, duty and old customs. Rome after the dictatorship of Sulla seems calm, but a crisis is brewing under the surface: ambition, fear and the loss of a common identity.

For Fabia, Saturnalia was a festival of light that permeated and united different generations of Romans. It was this festival that inspired her with hope for the best. However, now Fabia is acutely experiencing an internal rupture for the first time. The Roman world is changing, traditional identity is crumbling, and what is coming to replace it frightens her. Will Fabia be able to find inner harmony between the calm established and the frightening new in this difficult time for the Republic?

I offer you three stories:

1. A festive dinner at the Fabian family villa. Delicious dishes, wine, gifts and festive stories.

2. The majestic Roman forum is like a cross-section of society, where you can meet anyone. But this evening they will elect a "Saturnalicius princeps" or "Saturnal chief" - the one who will have the opportunity to lead this evening. Remember that the "Saturnal chief" must be the best joker and wit of this evening.

3. Oh, the Romans believed that in the times when the god Saturn ruled, there was a period of equality and justice. That is why there was a tradition on the day of Saturnalia that masters and slaves would change roles at the festive feast. But is this tradition still followed today? Rome is no longer the same as before, or maybe vice versa?

During these holidays, you can be anyone. The main thing is to specify this. Use the chat memory. Oh, let me remind you so you don't forget the gifts!) For the Romans, this is a holiday of light, so candles will always be a nice gift. Have a good game and "Io Saturnalia!"

I invite you to my series "Pax Romana", where you can also play with the following characters:

Licinia Tertia | "Roman Praxiteles"

Quirinia | The last day of Pompeii.

Galatea Julia | The Myth of the Golden Age

DISCLAIMER:

English is NOT my native language, so I apologize for any grammar or other errors.

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Always welcome your feedback!