ivate
persons, were called _strenae_, a name still surviving in the French
_etrennes_ (New Year's presents).{16}

An interesting and very full account of the Kalends celebrations is given
in two discourses of Libanius, the famous Greek sophist of the fourth
century:--

"The festival of the Kalends," he says, "is celebrated everywhere as
far as the limits of the Roman Empire extend.... Everywhere may be
seen carousals and well-laden tables; luxurious abundance is found in
the houses of the rich, but also in the houses of the poor better
food than usual is put upon the table. The impulse to spend seizes
everyone. He who the whole year through has taken pleasure in saving
and piling up his pence, becomes suddenly extravagant. He who
erstwhile was accustomed and preferred to live poorly, now at this
feast enjoys himself as much as his means will allow.... People are
not only generous towards themselves, but also towards their
fellow-men. A stream of presents pours itself out on all sides....
The highroads and footpaths are covered with whole processions of
laden men and beasts.... As the thousand flowers which burst forth
everywhere are the adornment of Spring, so are the thousand presents
poured out on all sides, the decoration of the Kalends feast. It may
justly be said that it is the fairest time of the year.... The
Kalends festival banishes all that is connected with toil, and allows
men to give themselves up to undisturbed enjoyment. From the minds of
young people it removes two kinds of dread: the dread of the
schoolmaster and the dread of the stern pedagogue. The slave also it
allows, so far as possible, to breathe the air of freedom.... |169|
Another great quality of the festival is that it teaches men not to
hold too fast to their money, but to part with it and let it pass
into other hands."{17}

The resemblances here to modern Christmas customs are very striking. In
another discourse Libanius speaks of processions on the Eve of the
festival. Few people, he says, go to bed; most go about the streets with
singing and leaping and all sorts of mockery. The severest moralist
utters no blame on this occasion. When morning begins to dawn they
decorate their houses with laurels and other greenery, and at daybreak
may go to bed to sleep off their intoxication, for many deem it necessary
at this feast to follow the flowing bow