From M. Furius, Rome To Sex. Furius, Capua a.d. XVI Kalendis Ianuarius Dear Brother: You asked for an account of the ceremonies today in the Forum, from where I have just returned. I am sending this scroll, along with small presents for your family. Your messenger leaves immediately; may Mercury guide him safely to your door! I rose before dawn. After dressing and nibbling on some dried fruits, I set off at first light with my household. What a merry sight we were, all of the servants wearing their pilei and bright gowns! Somehow my serving boy – you know, the Ligurian – persuaded one of the gardeners to fashion a huge laurel crown for him to wear. Imagine this little scamp lording it over my German bearers! Of course, there was no work for them today either. We met up with Gaius’ entourage near the statue of Vertumnus in the vicus Tuscus, and from there walked to the Forum as a group. I’m afraid Gaius and I looked quite sober in our togae, but a banker must maintain his dignity. What a day of celebration in Rome, brother! There were streams of people all along the way. Early risers from across the capital crowded into the Forum to witness the morning’s solemn ritual at the Temple of Saturn. As the morning light spread across the open area between the Rostra and the steps leading to the pronaos, the chief sacerdos and his fellow priests began the holy day with the annual rededication of the temple, second oldest in the city. Within the cella, the great statue of Saturn had been cleaned and painted. New oil was poured inside to refill the statue with the bounty of the fields Saturn blesses. At this time, the priests untied the woolen fetters around the god’s feet. Throughout the year these bonds keep Saturn bound within the temple and subordinate to the great Jove, but on this day he is liberated to preside over Rome’s celebration. Outside, the bright morning sun set the statues of the Tritons and hippocampi on the temple’s gable ablaze with mid-winter light as the sacrifice of young suckling pigs began. As is the custom, each family offered a pig, or perhaps a goat, as a sacrifice to the god. The priests make the division, with a portion of the meat left on the altar for Saturn, another portion set aside for the priests of the temple, and the rest returned to the household. I can tell you, it was no small expense at my house; I had to buy three large pigs this year! As the formal rituals ended, the crowds took up the cry “Io, Saturnalia!” from one end of the Forum to the other. With Saturn now given free reign over the city, the ordinary social order has been set aside. I must rush to seal this scroll in its cylinder; your messenger will not wait any longer. My love to your wife and children. May the gods watch over you all. Be well, brother!