festivals | Alison Morton's Roma Nova

What did Eboracum Roman Festival do for me?

Apologies to Monty Python for cannibalising their line, but what was a Roma Novan doing at the Roman festival last weekend in York? Being Roman, that’s what.

Three days of immersed in Roman life and not having to explain that you are slightly crazy. Three days of sharing, laughing and learning about our favourite time […]

Saturnalia - serious Roman festival or free for all?

Temple of Saturn, Rome

Saturnalia was THE most important Roman festival. Heavy on feasting, fun and gifts, it was originally celebrated in Ancient Rome for only a day around 17 December, but it was so popular it expanded into a week or even longer, despite Augustus’ efforts to reduce it to three days, […]

Io Saturnalia! One big party or the ancestor of Christmas?

Temple of Saturn, Rome

Saturnalia was THE most important Roman festival. Heavy on feasting, fun and gifts, it was originally celebrated in Ancient Rome for only a day around 17 December (today!), but it was so popular it expanded into a week or even longer, despite Augustus’ efforts to reduce it to three […]