AustLit

Martial, a satirical poet of the first century AD, wrote a list of gifts appropriate for the Saturnalia in his Epigrams, ranging from high-class glassware and luxurious foods, to small trinkets and popular literature. Accompanying each gift was a tag written by the poet, often witty, bordering on insulting, where he explores ideas of class, age, and social relations. The Saturnalia was a joyous festival that occurred late in the year and celebrated the titan god Saturn, the patron of a past mythical Golden Age. Spanning several days, the festival saw the suspension of all economic and political business, as Romans would spend their time celebrating publicly at great sacrifices and privately in intimate banquets. This festival is characterised by the inversion of traditional social norms and the exchange of gifts between friends and family.

Saturnalia: How the Romans Give exhibits a range of artefacts that illustrate popular Roman gifts. Coupled with Martial’s commentary, the exhibit provides a insight into why specific gifts were given. It interprets the important messages within gift-giving that pertain to class and status. It also sheds light on the private aspects of Roman life such as how intimate relationships were celebrated. The exhibit showcases a range of objects, including glassware such as perfume bottles and wine jugs; pottery, illustrating the foods popular in banqueting; lanterns, which were both practical and beautiful; papyrus to signify gifts of learning and literature; as well as figurines, the traditional gifts of the Saturnalia.