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GCSE Classics · key term
A Roman festival in honour of Saturn, beginning on 17 December and involving sacrifice, feasting, gifts and temporary relaxation of social hierarchies.
Used by OCR
Paper 1
Revise: RomeThe Lupercalia and Saturnalia show two different ways this could happen: one carried fertility rituals from a sacred cave into the streets; the other temporarily relaxed the divisions of Roman society.
Keep the officials distinct: the Luperci conducted the Lupercalia; priests from Saturn’s temple conducted the Saturnalia, while the Senate funded its public feast.
Explain how a ritual suited its purpose: the Lupercalia’s leather strips were believed to convey fertility, while Saturnalia’s role-reversals recalled Saturn’s Golden Age.
Distinguish temporary festive freedom from permanent social change: Saturnalia did not abolish slavery.
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