IO, SATVRNALIA!
IO, SATVRNALIA!
9 comments
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How is “Io” pronounced? That is a capital “i” and not a lowercase “L”, correct?
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Yep, capital I. "Yo" is how I usually hear it. I've seen it argued that "Ee-oh" is the appropriate pronunciation.
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I always thought it was LO
good to know, I guess? Not sure if I'll use that later in life but at least I'm a tiny bit less ignorant today.
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9 comments
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 this the reason why we created a big fat jolly old man in a red and white suit with a big beard and a bottle of Coca-cola to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Later invention, I'm afraid! German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast is often credited with the modern design of Santa Claus during the US Civil War, of all times.
That being said, many of the traditions of Christmas are linked to Saturnalia.