Elaine Loft, Staff Writer
On December 11, the Latin class student leaders and teachers presented a Saturnalia experience for the Derryfield community. Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn. Traditionally held on the 17th of December of the Julian calendar, the celebration was eventually extended to the 23rd of December–a total of seven days of festivities.
Originally the holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, a public banquet, private gift-giving, and general revelry, including gambling. The gifts were usually small figurines made of wax or clay, known as sigillaria.
The Derryfield Saturnalia included Tali (a dice game), an ancient Rome scavenger hunt, a Roman-themed meal, and the opportunity to create sigillaria or mosaics (out of beans).
When asked about the inspiration for this first-time event, World Language Department teacher Caroline Thirkill explained,
“We wanted to bring a hands-on learning experience to the students. We aspired to take language beyond the classroom, and bring a “dead” language to life. The kids really got into it!”
