The origins of carnival date back to the Roman Saturnalia, festivities and Religious ancient Rome characterized by public amusements, orgiastic rites, sacrifices, dances and the presence of masks.
The Roman Carnival has however its maximum explosion, in the Middle Ages, after the election of Pope Paul II, who, after the transfer of the papal residence at Palazzo Venezia, concentrated in the historic center and particularly in Via Lata (now the Via del Corso), most of the carnival festivities.
The main form of the Roman carnival was Rugantino, but there were also various Norcini, Aquilani and Meo Patacca and General Damn.