Saturnalia and New Year's Chats Reviewed
An Overview of AncientWorlds Holidays in 2003

AncientWorlds, Heraklia Aelius

Back in 1997, I remember Jot and Julilla Sempronius (then our "social secretary" site-wide) came up with the idea of celebrating the Roman winter festival, Saturnalia, online. Ever since, Saturnalia has been celebrated annually at AS and, now, at AW.

But I think this last year's celebrations, in their relaxed camaraderie, was one of the most successful, and I include the New Year's day chats that re-inaugurated our chat rooms site-wide. This year, as never before, other cities than Rome shared the holidays with their own special historical winter fests and all citizens cross-shared the festive spirit. What a great end to a relaxing two weeks!

Special names leap to mind - Laurels Curius, whose lovely Saturnalia greetings cards were seen far and wide throughout AncientWorlds (kudoes, Laurels!) I particularly liked her careful instructions making even Yours Humbly able to leave a truly stunning graphic domus greeting to share the holiday spirit.

But many other graphic artists shared their works, so that domus entrances throughout the site essentially glowed with seasonal wallpaper, falling snow, fun graphics, and more.

Senex Caecilius (who runs a major Saturnalia festival site through his well-known Vicus Collis Viminalis , posted poems, historical notes, and fun graphics throughout Saturnalia (technically, December 17-23, but we ran over a bit this year). As Christmas approached, the affectionate messages and good will seemed almost palpable.

Rome's Saturnalia Thread celebrated gift-giving, a major banquet on December 19 (check the menu!- sows' udders?), and fun for all. A Saturnalia Trivia quiz also helped inaugurate the festivities (congratulations, Ioannis Nestor!) plus a Latin Trivia Quiz (thanks, Tanaquil!)

Germania shared in the spirit with its Twelve Nights of Yule, sharing Germanic traditions that are a part of the western holiday tradition, but with a historic twist. A good time was had by all - and luckily, there were no (virtual) hangovers!

Finally, on New Year's Day, the Grand Reopening of Chats meant that every city in AW was buzzing with activity, while 'surprise guests' from Julius Caesar, to Augustus, to Cleopatra, to Attila the Hun, Socrates and more, wandered throughout the Seven Cities.

Kudoes to the "celebrities" and their excellent knowledge of topic and humor! (I enjoyed the brief argument between Augustus and Cleopatra, who had some personal issues, apparently!

A wonderful end to a happy holiday. May all the good wishes and hopes for 2004 remind us of how much we have in our community - and how much more we want to build!