THE WINTER SOLSTICE AND SOL INVICTUS AT HADRIAN'S VILLA The Saturnalia were the most important religious feast in ancient Rome, celebrated in the days of the Winter Solstice (December 21), when the Sun seemed to struggle to rise again and the apparent death of Nature had to be exorcised with special rituals, so that the Sun would resume its... To read the full article you must log in or register. Login or register