Saturnalia

The Saturnalia was originally celebrated in Ancient Rome for only a day, but it was so popular it soon lasted a week, despite Augustus' efforts to reduce it to three days, and Caligula's, to five. Like Christmas, this important holy day (feriae publicae) was for more than fun and games. Saturnalia was a time to honor the god of sowing, Saturn. But again, like Christmas, it was also a festival day (dies festus) on which a public banquet was prepared. An effigy of the god was probably one of the guests.

It was a time of celebration, visits to friends, and gift-giving, particularly of wax candles, and earthenware figurines. The best part of the Saturnalia, for slaves, was the temporary reversal of roles. Masters served meals to their slaves who were permitted the unaccustomed luxuries of leisure and gambling.

Are you aware of other interesting facts like this, concerning ancient slavery?