Brown: IO Saturnalia! Latin students herald the ancient Roman festival of peace and harmony

During the dark days of December, in many schools throughout the Main Line, students will be heard exclaiming the celebratory “IO SATURNALIA!,” a clarion call throughout the centuries of the Roman festival of the Saturnalia.

The commemoration originated in ancient Rome in honor of an early king-god named Saturnus who was renowned for the goodwill and prosperity of his reign.

According to tradition, the ancient Romans honored Saturnus as the god of seed and sowing, after the autumn planting was completed.

Click here to read the full article by Mary Brown, CAAS Executive Director