麻豆约拍

This Roman winter festival laid the foundations for many of our Christmas traditions today- feasting, gift-giving and revelry. During Saturnalia, some Emperors held elaborate games at the Colosseum while others gave gag gifts. Meanwhile, in the home, the societal hierarchy was flipped - slaves were served by their masters at the dinner table and out in the streets it was a carnival of music, dancing and debauchery.

Dan is joined by Dr Frances Macintosh, The English Heritage Collections Curator for Hadrian's Wall in the North East and she takes Dan through a typical Saturnalia.

This is episode 1 in our 'Origins of Christmas' series. Every week in, Dan explores the history behind our Christmas traditions鈥攆rom extravagant Tudor feasts and carolling to midwinter Solstice celebrations, the bawdy entertainment of the Georgians, and the family-focused customs of the Victorians.

Produced by Mariana Des Forges and James Hickmann and edited by Max Carrey and Dougal Patmore.

All music from Epidemic Sounds / All3 Media

Dan Snow's History Hit is a History Hit podcast.