Though Nero went ahead with his plan to create an unending Saturnalia, the Senate did score a victory of sorts in that they convinced him not to do it at law. Was it fitting, they asked, to impose disorder in an orderly way? How could one pass laws to institute a period of lawlessness? Instead the senators suggested he lead by example. Which he was more than happy to do.
Yet Nero did insist upon overturning a few laws – old laws, ancient laws, laws regarding slaves, gifts, and certain elements of public indecency. All opening up license for behaviors that were frowned upon outside those blessed seven days each December. Some of these laws had long been winked at, even ignored outright. Yet never had they been openly repealed – until now. Thus was Saturnalia brought to the Roman world, yea
