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The Roman Calendar
The Roman Calendar
The original Roman calendar, consisting of 10 months and only accounting for 304 days, was supposedly introduced in the 8th century BCE by Romulus, adopted from the Greeks. The year began in March and the names of September to December (7th-10th) still reflect this original organization.
The original Roman calendar, consisting of 10 months and only accounting for 304 days, was supposedly introduced in the 8th century BCE by Romulus, adopted from the Greeks. The year began in March and the names of September to December (7th-10th) still reflect this original organization.
January and February were added by later kings to account for the missing days and a lunar calendar of 355 days (based on the cycles of the moon) was in use for over 500 years. The missing days would be added back every few years as a new month (Intercalans) as determined by the Pontifex Maximus (chief priest).
January and February were added by later kings to account for the missing days and a lunar calendar of 355 days (based on the cycles of the moon) was in use for over 500 years. The missing days would be added back every few years as a new month (Intercalans) as determined by the Pontifex Maximus (chief priest).
In the Late Republic, the social unrest exasperated the irregularity and arbitrary maintenance of the calendar. To address this problem, Caesar (having consolidated his power in 46 BCE) brought to Rome the system that he learned in Egypt from the ancient world’s foremost astronomy experts. The Egyptians had calculated a solar year to be 365.25 days. Because of its accuracy, the Julian Calendar has maintained with only slight adjustments made over the millennia. The 5th month (Quintilis) was renamed after Julius Caesar and in 8 BCE, the 6th month (Sextilis) was similarly renamed after the emperor Augustus.
In the Late Republic, the social unrest exasperated the irregularity and arbitrary maintenance of the calendar. To address this problem, Caesar (having consolidated his power in 46 BCE) brought to Rome the system that he learned in Egypt from the ancient world’s foremost astronomy experts. The Egyptians had calculated a solar year to be 365.25 days. Because of its accuracy, the Julian Calendar has maintained with only slight adjustments made over the millennia. The 5th month (Quintilis) was renamed after Julius Caesar and in 8 BCE, the 6th month (Sextilis) was similarly renamed after the emperor Augustus.
Romans refer to years in a couple of ways. Each year was recorded as a length of time from the traditional founding of the city by Romulus, 753 BCE. This dating is referred to as ab urbe condita (AUC). Additionally, years are often referred to by the consuls who served in that year.
Romans refer to years in a couple of ways. Each year was recorded as a length of time from the traditional founding of the city by Romulus, 753 BCE. This dating is referred to as ab urbe condita (AUC). Additionally, years are often referred to by the consuls who served in that year.
Within the year, the Romans used 3 set dates within each month to identify the day of the month.
Within the year, the Romans used 3 set dates within each month to identify the day of the month.
When providing the day of the month, Romans always looked forward, so events occurred 10 days before the calends of the next month, as opposed to 5 days after the Ides. Additionally, Romans were inclusive counters, so the day of origin is included in the count (e.g. 4 days before the ides of March would be March 12th).
When providing the day of the month, Romans always looked forward, so events occurred 10 days before the calends of the next month, as opposed to 5 days after the Ides. Additionally, Romans were inclusive counters, so the day of origin is included in the count (e.g. 4 days before the ides of March would be March 12th).
** Originally aligned with the full moon, the transition to the solar calendar meant the Ides simply marked the middle of the month.
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