this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2025
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Explanation: Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival of merrymaking, where the social order was turned 'upside-down' in celebration of the liberty granted by Saturn. People exchanged small gifts, dressed in outlandish outfits, played holiday games, and drank and feasted to excess.
Emperor Julian was the last pagan Emperor of Rome, who attempted to enforce tolerance for all faiths in the Empire - something which the Christians, who had enjoyed ~50 years as an empowered minority with Christian Emperors persecuting their enemies, the pagan majority of the Empire, regarded as a great offense.
EMPEROR JULIAN GAVE US BACK SATURNALIA
With thanks to @Deceptichum@quokk.au
is that "io" pronounced like "yo"?
"Yo" is how I usually hear it. I've seen it argued that "Ee-oh" is the appropriate pronunciation.