The medieval calendar brimmed with beloved feast days and festivals, such as Candlemas, Saint Valentine's Day, Carnival, Easter, Beltane, and Christmas, among others. Many of these were closely tied to the liturgical cycles, which marked important celebrations in the Christian tradition. But each festivity brought with it unique rites and traditions, some dating to ancient times.
Ancient roots
Many medieval festivals had their roots in ancient celebrations, such as those of Rome and Constantinople; the Roman calendar had around 155 festival and holidays per year. The Roman penchant for spectacle – from gladiatorial combats, wild beast hunts, to chariot races – inspired medieval societies, endowing their festivals with both splendour and awe. In Constantinople, the Hippodrome was a site for much popular entertainment, from chariot races to dramatic displays. Chariot races, in particular, were exhilarating exhibitions of velocity and dexterity, as well as conduits through which political and societal narratives unfolded. Affection for racing teams was deeply entrenched, and triumphs were enthusiastically celebrated.
Tzykanion, or Byzantine polo, also played a prominent role in festival activities, showcasing the aristocratic equestrian skills of the Byzantine nobility. Competing on horseback with players deftly handling long-handled mallets to propel a ball, the sport demanded dexterity, precision, and cooperation, all the while entertaining the many on-lookers from all walks of life.
But it was not solely physical spectacles that marked these early festivals. Dances, theatrical plays, and musical compositions were also popular events, reflecting the deep respect for the fine arts among ancient and early medieval societies. In addition to the many merry-making traditions, intellectual endeavours, such as chess, exemplified erudition, as well as signifying class and cognitive prowess within elite circles. The festivals of ancient Rome and Byzantium were thus
