Saturnalia
event · 2 works · 2 mentions · 2 anchored passages
December · the Saturnalia
in the texts
Comparison of Lycurgus and Numa
A Roman festival instituted, per this account, by Numa, during which slaves feasted alongside their masters.
And if we must ascribe to the administration of Lycurgus the treatment of the Helots, a most savage and lawless practice, we shall own that Numa was far more Hellenic as a lawgiver, since he gave acknowledged slaves a taste of the dignity of freedom, by making it the custom for them to feast in the company of their masters during the Saturnalia For this too was one of the institutions of Numa, as …
Letters to Lucilius
The Roman festival of license and extravagance held in December, prompting Seneca's discussion of moderation.
License has been given to public extravagance.