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Foro Romano. Da sinistra, in primo piano: le 3 colonne del tempio di Vespasiano e Tito, l'arco di Settimio Severo, il tempio di Saturno.

Saturn

In its own language: Sāturnus

from Latin satus, meaning 'sowing'

Roman god of time and agriculture, linked to the Saturnalia festival

Historical

Photo: Robert Lowe, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Saturn was a major deity in ancient Roman religion, governing time, wealth, and farming. His reign symbolized a mythic Golden Age of peace. He was celebrated during the December festival of Saturnalia.

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  • His temple housed the Roman state treasury.
  • The Saturnalia festival featured role reversals.
  • He is the Roman equivalent of Cronus.
  • His statue's feet were bound with wool.
  • The day Saturday is named after him.

What it is

Saturn is a figure from ancient Roman religion and mythology. He represents time, generation, and dissolution. He also governs abundance, wealth, and agriculture. His rule is depicted as a Golden Age of peace. After Rome conquered Greece, he merged with the Greek Titan Cronus. He is the father of Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto. His consort is his sister Ops. The planet Saturn and the day Saturday are named after him.

Where it comes from

The Romans remembered Saturn reigning on the Capitol before the city existed. This site was called mons Saturnius. He shares this early role with Janus. Scholars debate how much of his character is original Roman versus Greek influence. Some features match Cronus but may be older. Others arrived after Greek customs were introduced in 217 BCE. The Etruscan god Satre may be related to his name.

How it is done

Worship involved specific rituals at the Temple of Saturn. Sacrifices used the Greek rite with uncovered heads. This reversed the usual Roman custom of covered heads. The god himself was shown veiled in art. His statue was filled with oil. Wool bound its feet until the festival. These acts marked a reversal of normal social order.

Tools and materials

He uses a sickle or scythe as his main symbol. A white veil covers his head in depictions. The temple housed the state treasury and archives. Oil and wool were used on his cult statue. These items relate to myths about knots and sovereignty.

Saturn, drawn and placed

Emblem white, with the feather shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.
  1. Living
  2. Revived
  3. Fading
  4. Historical
  5. Legendary
  6. Performed
Standing: Historical Documented in the past; no continuous living tradition today. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.
A feather: used in cleansing and blessing in some traditions, worn as a sign of office, and carried as a charm.
Lineage
Roman mythology
Timing
December during Saturnalia
Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

People sought his favor for agricultural renewal and wealth. The Saturnalia festival allowed role reversals and gift-giving. It marked the transition of the new year. The festival promoted free speech and revelry.

Who does it

Priests conducted the ceremonies. The Salian priests included his name in ancient hymns. His temple was the oldest recorded by the pontiffs. Scholars like Dominique Briquel analyze his complex theology. They view him as a sovereign god of creation and destruction.

Peoples and places

The Romans held him as a central deity. The Etruscans had a similar god named Satre. Later, Romans equated him with Baal Hammon in Carthage. This led to the African Saturn cult. He was also linked to Yahweh in some poetry. The identification spread through the Roman Empire.

At a glance: who, where and when

Belief worlds

Pagan and Neopagan

Occasions

Festivals
Saturn with head protected by winter cloak, holding a scythe in his right hand, fresco from the House of the Dioscuri at Pompeii, Naples Archaeological Museum
Saturn with head protected by winter cloak, holding a scythe in his right hand, fresco from the House of the Dioscuri at. Photo: Carole Raddato, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Relief, so-called "Throne of Saturn". Marble, 1st century AD or 16th copy. From Venice, Italy.
Relief, so-called "Throne of Saturn". Marble, 1st century AD or 16th copy. From Venice, Italy.. Photo: Unknown author, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Lucius Appuleius Saturninus. 104 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.86 g, 8h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma left / Saturn driving galloping quadriga right; B above. Crawford 317/3a; Sydenham 578; Appuleia 1 var. (letter above
Lucius Appuleius Saturninus. 104 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.86 g, 8h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma left / Saturn driv. Photo: CNG, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about Saturn

Who is Saturn in Roman mythology?

Saturn is a Roman god of time, agriculture, and wealth. He ruled during a mythic Golden Age. He is the father of major gods like Jupiter. He later merged with the Greek Titan Cronus.

What is the Saturnalia festival?

Saturnalia is a December festival celebrating Saturn. It involves feasting, gift-giving, and role reversals. It marks the winter solstice and new year transition. Free speech was permitted during this time.

Why is Saturn associated with time?

He governs generation and dissolution. His festival marks the year's end. The scythe symbolizes the harvest and passing time. Late antiquity linked him to winged timing deities.

Where was Saturn worshipped?

His main temple stood on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. It held the state treasury. Worship occurred there throughout Roman history. Cults also existed in Carthage and other regions.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Saturn (mythology)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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