Following Roman history we can say that for Romans, those from last centuries, LE FESTE - celebrations in general, were something really serious. They were quite numerous to happen during the year and in some periods required previous reservation of time...
"Chiuso appena l'apparto teatrale,
stanotte la Madonna entra in ner mese:
e ffra cquinicsi ggiorni pe' le cchiese,
principia la novena de Natale.
E ddoppo, ammalappe'na se lo' intese
le pifere a ffini la pastorale,
riecco le commedie e'r Carnovale:
e accusi sse va avanti a sto paese"
Happy, skittish and coquettish nature of Romans, their playfulness attitude, was hitting foreign travelers, who were simply shocked by their way of having fun. Hmm...
One of the first mentions about their attitude is from around 1550, when a Turkish Muslim, after a long trip, coming back to his motherland, reported, that at the particular time of the year "i cristiani IMPAZZIVANO" - Christians go mad, to then regain their minds thanks to dust scattered on their heads'.
A show that today we will call uncivilized, but in the past centuries was the most popular entertainment of the Carnival was the human race - and at first - race of Jews. It was forbidden for Jews and Christians to have common activities and the race became an opportunity for ridicule and harassment. The harassment was increased by the journalists of the time. Leader became a spokesman for this anti-Semitic intolerance, we will currently say, but which corresponded to the sensitivity of the gross era. This comes to the race that participants, defined by a reporter: BIPOD BEASTS, were taking part with a full stomach to be more tired. A report from February 1583 points out:
"I soliti otto ebrei corsero ignudi il palio loro, favoriti da pioggia et vento degni di questi perfidi, mascherati di fagno al dispetto delle grida"
And that would mean: the usual eight Jews run naked on their prize, aided by rain and wind worthy of those perfidious, mud musk in spite of the cries. There is no wonder, because at the time there was the same authorities, which while setting the temporary regulations- prohibiting Jews from molesting, at the same time subjecting them to numerous humiliations. Forcing them to participate races but also oblige them for the rest of the year to reside in the ghetto and wear a distinctive mark, or forbidding them to celebrate certain holidays or to undertake many economical activities.
In 1668 Clement IX abolished the race but in return asked for a sum of money and the community was forced to pay the tribute, which was used to decorate the gallery of the city, banners etc. For elderly was not given a better fate though, in exchange for the pittance they were forced to run naked.
It is hard to imagine how that could ever be considered as an entertainment, but for Romans human races were very much appreciated. For example from a document from 1633: "For fun and recreation during these hot summer days earlier by particular people was made a race of lame in Trastevere (...) with great pleasure of numerous spectators which came to watch it."
One of the first mentions about their attitude is from around 1550, when a Turkish Muslim, after a long trip, coming back to his motherland, reported, that at the particular time of the year "i cristiani IMPAZZIVANO" - Christians go mad, to then regain their minds thanks to dust scattered on their heads'.
A show that today we will call uncivilized, but in the past centuries was the most popular entertainment of the Carnival was the human race - and at first - race of Jews. It was forbidden for Jews and Christians to have common activities and the race became an opportunity for ridicule and harassment. The harassment was increased by the journalists of the time. Leader became a spokesman for this anti-Semitic intolerance, we will currently say, but which corresponded to the sensitivity of the gross era. This comes to the race that participants, defined by a reporter: BIPOD BEASTS, were taking part with a full stomach to be more tired. A report from February 1583 points out:
"I soliti otto ebrei corsero ignudi il palio loro, favoriti da pioggia et vento degni di questi perfidi, mascherati di fagno al dispetto delle grida"
And that would mean: the usual eight Jews run naked on their prize, aided by rain and wind worthy of those perfidious, mud musk in spite of the cries. There is no wonder, because at the time there was the same authorities, which while setting the temporary regulations- prohibiting Jews from molesting, at the same time subjecting them to numerous humiliations. Forcing them to participate races but also oblige them for the rest of the year to reside in the ghetto and wear a distinctive mark, or forbidding them to celebrate certain holidays or to undertake many economical activities.
In 1668 Clement IX abolished the race but in return asked for a sum of money and the community was forced to pay the tribute, which was used to decorate the gallery of the city, banners etc. For elderly was not given a better fate though, in exchange for the pittance they were forced to run naked.
It is hard to imagine how that could ever be considered as an entertainment, but for Romans human races were very much appreciated. For example from a document from 1633: "For fun and recreation during these hot summer days earlier by particular people was made a race of lame in Trastevere (...) with great pleasure of numerous spectators which came to watch it."
It was Paul II who brought back the Roman Carnival to the ancient splendor, in 15th century. The Pope, who was living at Palazzo San Marco (near present Piazza Venezia), moved to the center of entertainment from Testaccio. For several centuries the area remained the heart of DIVERTIMENTO, and it's period of glory lasted until the end of 18th century. Traditional celebrations continue though even in the 19th century, but have nothing to do with the splendor of the previous period.
Some, regretting the past, were hoping to complete disappearance to the celebrations, only by political considerations. After the fall of Roman Republic, and power in recent year, the papal authority attempt to encourage Romans to wear masks and walk across the streets to give the impression of normality, unfortunately with limited success... In 1837, on the contrary, fearing the riots and political protests, celebrations were banned. In 1876 this epitaph was spread:
"Di Roma il Carneval qui morto giace;
Dorma egli alfine e Roma lasci in pace."
Which means: Carnival of Rome lies here dead; sleeping finally, to live Rome alone, set it free. Tradition is continued, outlast, despite the efforts of the special council created to revive the fortunes of celebrations, leaving only the pale memory of those days when Roman Carnival was the greatest attraction for travelers and commentators.
Some, regretting the past, were hoping to complete disappearance to the celebrations, only by political considerations. After the fall of Roman Republic, and power in recent year, the papal authority attempt to encourage Romans to wear masks and walk across the streets to give the impression of normality, unfortunately with limited success... In 1837, on the contrary, fearing the riots and political protests, celebrations were banned. In 1876 this epitaph was spread:
"Di Roma il Carneval qui morto giace;
Dorma egli alfine e Roma lasci in pace."
Which means: Carnival of Rome lies here dead; sleeping finally, to live Rome alone, set it free. Tradition is continued, outlast, despite the efforts of the special council created to revive the fortunes of celebrations, leaving only the pale memory of those days when Roman Carnival was the greatest attraction for travelers and commentators.
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