In the third century, Romans began celebrating the Sol Invictus on 25 December, which was later appropriated by Christians as the day for Christmas. Prior to the institution of this holiday, though, the main December festival in Rome was the Saturnalia, later known as Brumalia. The number of days for this festival varied, from one day through entire week, but always starting on the seventeenth. It was when the ropes binding the statue of Saturn at his temple were untied, and sacrifices were made... read more
