Volume 59 Issue 12 December 2009

A Saturnalia scene showing the Roman pagan festival in full swing beneath the statue of Saturn. Art by Jean Grandjean, c. 18th century. Albertina. Public Domain.

Did the Romans Invent Christmas?

Did the first Christian Roman emperor appropriate the pagan festival of Saturnalia to celebrate the birth of Christ? Matt Salusbury weighs the evidence.

Class in Britain

As bankers gain pariah status, William D. Rubinstein discusses Britain’s changing attitudes towards the wealthy.