The Brumalia (Latin: Brumalia [bruːˈmaːlia]) were a winter solstice festival celebrated in the eastern part of the Roman Empire.[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 festival included night-time feasting, drinking, and merriment. During this time, prophetic indications were taken as predictions for the remainder of the winter. Despite the 6th century emperor Justinian's official repression of paganism,[3][4][5] the holiday was celebrated at least until the 11th century, as recorded by Christopher of Mytilene.[6] No references exist after the 1204 sacking of the capital by the Fourth Crusade.
Poem 115, titled: To his friend Nikephoros, who had sent him cakes around the time of the Broumalia