Saturn

God of the Golden Age

Saturn was an ancient Roman god of sowing, agriculture and abundance. His usual symbol was a sickle, the curved tool used to harvest grain. Romans later identified him with the Greek Titan Cronus, and this brought a famous Greek family story into Roman mythology. Saturn feared that one of his children would overthrow him, so he swallowed them. His wife Ops saved the youngest, Jupiter, by hiding him and giving Saturn a wrapped stone instead. Jupiter eventually grew up, rescued his brothers and sisters and defeated Saturn’s generation.

Rome also told a very different story about Saturn. After losing his throne, he travelled to Italy and was welcomed by the god Janus. Saturn then ruled over a wonderful Golden Age. Crops grew easily, people lived peacefully and there were fewer divisions between rich and poor. This idea became closely connected with Saturnalia, his famous December festival. Businesses closed, people feasted, exchanged small presents and enjoyed games. Some normal social rules were temporarily reversed. The celebration allowed Romans to imagine that Saturn’s freer Golden Age had returned for a few days.

Saturn’s temple stood prominently in the Roman Forum, and Rome’s state treasury was kept there for part of Roman history. His statue was traditionally bound with woollen ties that were loosened during Saturnalia, almost as though the god’s freedom was being released with the festival. The remains of the Temple of Saturn can still be seen in Rome today. Saturn therefore combined several ideas that seem surprisingly different: farming, stored wealth, a frightening mythological past and joyful celebration. I think the best way to remember him is through that contrast. The same god connected with the terrifying story of swallowing his children also represented a legendary age of peace and became the focus of one of Rome’s favourite holidays.

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