The sinister real-life events which inspired horror film The Purge where rape and murder are legal for one night a year
The 2013 film, which has spawned two sequels with a third coming next year, depicts a future version of America where, once a year, all crime is ignored for a 12-hour time period
FOR one night a year, there are no laws and citizens are free to butcher their neighbours during brutal killing sprees.
It's a terrifying concept, but the idea behind horror film The Purge didn't come from nowhere.
During the Pagan festivities, which took place from the 17th to the 25th December, people were encouraged to get drunk and do whatever they wanted - including sacrifice each other to the gods.
Throughout the week, businesses and work would all be suspended, with slaves given the freedom to say and do what they like.
Carnage was the order of the day, with booze flowing freely and the Roman courts shut down for the week.
Although it was a merry time for many ancient Romans, Saturnalia could take on a darker edge when people ended up going too far.
Looper reports that the week often descended into mayhem and violence, with citizens free to do whatever they wanted without having to worry about being arrested.
But at the end of the celebration, these fake rulers would be sacrificed at the temple of Saturn as a show of respect for the Roman god.
With punishments suspended, human sacrifices and carnage in the streets, some noticed similarities between the events of Saturnalia and those in the bleak American future depicted in The Purge.
Previously, we revealed the chilling real-life stories which inspired iconic horror films.
We also told how actors from Heath Ledger to Kate Winslet had been driven to the edge by the dark and haunted characters they played.