[1][2] In Rome there had been the minor holiday of Bruma on November 24, which turned into large scale end of the year festivities in Constantinople and Christianity.
The name of Brumalia comes from bruma, [ˈbruːma], "winter solstice", "winter cold", a shortening of *brevima, [ˈbrɛwɪma], presumed obsolete superlative form of brevis, later brevissima ("smallest", "shallowest", "briefest").
[7] Roman life during classical antiquity centred on the military, agriculture, and hunting.
Civic officials would bring offerings of firstfruits (including wine, olive oil, grain, and honey) to the priests of Ceres.
[4] In later times, Romans would greet each other with words of blessing at night, "Vives annos", "Live for years".