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Depiction / Description /
Symbol: Wheat and a sickle
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Name of equivalent Greek God: Kronos
aka Cronus
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Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the
second largest. Most of Saturn's moons have been named after Titans
of ancient mythology.
Festivals and Sacrifices to the
Roman God Saturn - Saturnalia
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The sowing of the next
year's crop was commemorated in the ancient festival of the
Saturnalia on December 17. Saturnalia is one of the most famous
festivals due to the freedom and license of the slaves, the giving
of presents. Saturnalia was one of the most popular Roman festivals
and was marked by practical jokes and reversal of social roles such
as with masters and slaves. During the festival of Saturnalia
gambling was allowed for all, even slaves. Sacrifices were made at
his temple during Saturnalia and a ceremony in which the untying of
the ropes that bound the statue of Saturn during the rest of the
year was performed.
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Sacrifices to Saturn - During sacrifices to the
Roman gods the sex of the victim had to correspond to the sex of the
god to whom it was offered. White animals were given to the gods of
the upper world whereas black victims to the gods of the underworld
Roman Mythology and Information about Saturn
The depictions of Saturn
are not very consistent due to the confusion between him and
myths about the Greek god Chronus. On one hand his reign is
said to have been the golden age of innocence and purity and
on the other he is described as a monster who devoured his
own children. According to mythology and legend Metis
(Prudence) administered a draught to Saturn which caused him
to disgorge his children. Saturn was one of the Titans. His
son, Jupiter, together with his brothers and sisters
rebelled against their father and the other Titans. The
Titans were vanquished and some were imprisoned in Tartarus.
Other penalties were also inflicted, the punishment of the
Titan Atlas was to bear up the heavens on his shoulders. |