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Roman Astronomy-
In
order to answer the question "What or who was Caesar honoring?" it is important
to look at the stars over Rome, Caesar’s home and the city he and all Romans
considered holy. In Caesar’s time, Romans believed Rome to be founded by the
goddess Diana, or Rhea (in her more ancient form). The goddess Rhea had many
functions; one was as the "Grim Reaper" and "Goddess of Time," later the same
functions of the god Saturn. Goddess Rhea had two sons, Romulus and Remus.
Romulus betrayed Remus and founded the city of Rome. Romans were considered the
descendants of Romulus.
One
important Roman event was called the festival of Saturnalia, held at the time of
the winter solstice, roughly at the same time as the holiday season of Christmas
and New Year. This festival was held in honor of Saturn, god of time and the
darkest time of night (midnight) and darkest time of the year (winter solstice,
when the daylight hours are shortest). This New Year was the time of the birth
of the Sun, when the Sun would be "born" again as the days lengthened.
Therefore, it was a time of beginnings. Even though the pagan year often started
in the spring, the winter solstice was still considered the "beginning" of the
Sun’s year. The god Saturn "presided" over the birthing process of the Sun,
helping the New Year to come into being. That’s why Saturn was praised and
honored at this time, so that Saturn would assist the New Year "baby" to be born
(the name of this "baby" was Aeon, a god that was born and sacrificed every
year, only to be reborn again). Hence, the festival of Saturnalia, held in
Saturn’s honor.
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