"Keep Saturn in Saturnalia." You know the bumper sticker, of course. Around 350 A.D., you might have seen it on any passing chariot. Or plastered on the back of an ox cart.

The Roman god Saturn, in whose honour the festival was staged, was no benign Christ-figure or benevolent Santa, even though his party was eventually absorbed into Christmas.

It was a Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, according to History.com. ... It sounds like Santa Claus rewarding good children and ensuring you're in bed before he arrives.

The festival, which English Heritage (EH) said honoured Saturn, the Roman god of farming and harvest, was one of the ancient empire's most popular celebrations.

Wednesday is named for the god Woden, who is paralleled with the Roman god Mercury, probably because both gods shared attributes of eloquence, the ability to travel, and the guardianship of the dead.

KS2 Music: Romans. Exploring the pantheon of Roman gods and goddesses. BBC School Radio. BBC Teach.