Saturnalia - Roman festival of role reversal

497 BC

Recurring annual Roman festival from 17 December in which normal social order was inverted: masters served their slaves, gambling was permitted, and a mock king presided. The attestation used is Livy's record of the dedication of the Temple of Saturn, traditionally dated 497 BCE, whose dedication anniversary of 17 December fixed the festival date. The festival is older than any surviving description and no founding date is recoverable.