The pilleus was a felt cap, often referred to as a brimless petasos type of hat while the Phrygian cap came from central Anatolia, indeed from Phrygia, and evolved into the “liberty cap” because of its popularity during the Saturnalia. The Phrygian cap and the Pilleus are slightly different. In manumission rites, freed men (liberti) in ancient Rome also wore hats like this to symbolize their new social status. (Also from the Norse God Woden) For example, the red “Santa” hats? These allude to the pilleus, sometimes likened to the Phrygian cap, worn during this time of year. A lot of the imagery that describes Santa is lifted from various depictions of Saturn and the Saturnalia itself. So, let’s start this next section off with the jolly big man himself, Santa Claus. But to modern Christianity, it's Christmas Time! The most wonderful time of the year. That is because the origins of our celebrations today can be traced back to this seemingly foreign holiday. And yet, as strange as this festival may seem to us today, it should actually be very familiar to us. Thus was the Saturnalia Festival, usually held in honour of the God Saturn from December 17th to about December 24th (depending on when in history you examine). For the ancients though, there was no guarantee of survival, it took careful planning and lots of hope. All of this activity seems to be a scene of utter chaos. They are festive, hopeful, awaiting the return of the sun and its accompanying warmth and the harvest that will eventually come. There's gambling, exorbitant feasts, extreme partying, people wearing a funny shaped red hat. Think for a moment, and imagine this scene:Īncient Romans running around in total revelry during the darkest period of the year.
Saturnalia: The Original Reason for the Season
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