Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Expect gifts, special pyjamas, drinking games and cross-dressing. Natalie celebrates the mid-winter festival of Ancient Rome, Saturnalia, with Andr茅 Vincent and Llewelyn Morgan.

No togas today please. Natalie celebrates the mid-winter festival of Ancient Rome, Saturnalia. According to Catullus, it's the 'best of days'.

Expect cross-dressing, sweets, drinking games and the wearing of special pyjamas. Oh and anarchy and jokes. Sounds a bit like a Christmas pantomime? Not surprising, according to veteran pantomime dame Andr茅 Vincent, who traces the origins of panto back to the fifth century. Early in that same century - late antiquity - a Roman Christian named Macrobius wrote the most comprehensive extant guide to Saturnalia, which was celebrated in some places, in one way or another, until possibly the eleventh century.

You are invited to be part of this festive show which includes gifts for the entire Radio Theatre audience (cue noisy rustling of sweet bags) and the wearing of traditional Saturnalian pointy hats (the 'pileus') to celebrate. Even Professor Llewelyn Morgan has one. Honest.

Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery

Release date:

28 minutes

On radio

Christmas Eve 2024 09:00

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Eve 2024 09:00
  • Boxing Day 2024 23:30

Natalie Haynes's Classics Quiz

Natalie Haynes challenges your knowledge of the classics with 15 fiendish questions.

Podcast