The Roman Calendar

The Roman Calendar

The Roman calendar is a fascinating topic! It has evolved significantly over time, reflecting the changes in Roman society and their understanding of astronomy. Here's a detailed overview:

Early Roman Calendar

The earliest Roman calendar, attributed to Romulus, the founder of Rome, was a lunar calendar with 10 months and a total of 304 days. The months were:

Martius (31 days)

Aprilis (30 days)

Maius (31 days)

Junius (30 days)

Quintilis (31 days)

Sextilis (30 days)

September (30 days)

October (31 days)

November (30 days)

December (30 days)

 

Numa Pompilius' Reforms

 Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, reformed the calendar around 713 BCE. He added two months, Januarius and Februarius, to align the calendar more closely with the lunar year. The revised calendar had 355 days:

 

Januarius (29 days)

Februarius (28 days)

Martius (31 days)

Aprilis (30 days)

Maius (31 days)

Junius (30 days)

Quintilis (31 days)

Sextilis (30 days)

September (30 days)

October (31 days)

November (30 days)

December (30 days)

 

Intercalation

 To keep the calendar in sync with the solar year, the Romans used a system of intercalation, adding an extra month called Mercedonius or Intercalaris. This month was inserted after Februarius every two or three years, but the system was often manipulated for political purposes, leading to confusion.

 

Julian Calendar

 Julius Caesar reformed the Roman calendar in 46 BCE, creating the Julian calendar. He introduced a solar calendar with 365 days and a leap year every four years. The months were:

 

Januarius (31 days)

Februarius (28/29 days)

Martius (31 days)

Aprilis (30 days)

Maius (31 days)

Junius (30 days)

Quintilis (31 days) - later renamed Julius in honor of Julius Caesar

Sextilis (31 days) - later renamed Augustus in honor of Emperor Augustus

September (30 days)

October (31 days)

November (30 days)

December (31 days)

 

Gregorian Calendar

 The Julian calendar was used until the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Gregorian calendar corrected the inaccuracies of the Julian calendar by adjusting the leap year rule and realigning the calendar with the solar year.

 

Conclusion

 The Roman calendar's evolution reflects the Romans' efforts to create a more accurate and practical system for measuring time. From its early lunar roots to the solar-based Julian calendar, the Roman calendar has had a lasting impact on the way we measure time today.

 

The Roman Calendar: Origins & Festivals

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This book explores the origins of our calendar which dates back to the days of ancient Rome. The festivals and various celebrations are described, from the wild excesses of the Lupercalia to the gentler pastoral Floralia and Ambarvalia, the Roman zest for life shines through their year. The whole of the Roman world can be found in the chronology of time. How they related to their God's and Goddesses, their mythology, their sports, harvests, work and play. Now is the time to decode this enigma and see how the Romans really lived, so turn back the clock, step back in time, its all in our calendar!

 

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Roman Festival Of Saturnalia

Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival held in honour of the god Saturn, known as the god of agriculture, liberation, and time.

 

Saturnalia was observed from December 17 to 23, though it could be extended in some years. It was one of the most popular holidays in the Roman calendar, characterized by a reversal of social roles, where masters might serve their slaves, and slaves could enjoy a degree of freedom and respect. This role reversal was symbolic of the golden age of Saturn when all were equal.

 

  

Saturnalia (1783) by Antoine-François Callet, showing his interpretation of what the Saturnalia might have looked like

 

At Saturnalia there were lavish feasts and banquets. Gambling was normally forbidden, but was allowed during this period. Gift-Giving or tokens, often humorous or satirical, were exchanged among friends and family. People would wear colourful clothing and masks, adding to the festive atmosphere. The festival had religious rituals like sacrifices at the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, but over time, the religious aspects became less central compared to the social festivities. Saturnalia has left a cultural legacy, influencing the modern Christmas celebrations, particularly with aspects like feasting, gift-giving, and the general atmosphere of merriment and relaxation from social norms.

 

Saturnalia was not only a time of celebration but also a reflection of Roman society's ability to temporarily suspend its strict social hierarchies in favour of communal joy and equality.

 

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The Roman Poet and Satirist Aulus Persius Flaccus

The Roman Poet and Satirist Aulus Persius Flaccus

 

Aulus Persius Flaccus, often simply known as Persius, was a Roman poet and satirist of Etruscan origin, born in Volterra (Volaterrae) on December 4, 34 AD, and died on November 24, 62 AD. He was part of the equestrian class, which was below the senatorial class but above commoners, and he was connected by blood and marriage to individuals of high social standing. Persius was known for his Stoic philosophy and his sharp criticism of the stylistic excesses of his contemporary poets.

Francesco Stelluti: Persius

 

 Education and Influences: Persius received his early education in Volterra and then moved to Rome at the age of twelve to study grammar and rhetoric. He was influenced by the Stoic philosopher Lucius Annaeus Cornutus, with whom he developed a close relationship. His style and themes were also shaped by earlier Roman satirists like Lucilius and Horace, although he took a more concentrated and morally focused approach to satire.

Works and Style: Persius wrote six satires, which are concise and dense with philosophical content, focusing on Stoic ethics, the critique of contemporary Roman society, and the need for moral reform. His works are characterized by a difficult, often obscure style, using complex language and unexpected metaphors, which has both puzzled and intrigued readers over centuries. These satires were published posthumously by his mentor Cornutus and became highly influential, particularly during the Middle Ages.

Personal Life: Persius was described as having a gentle disposition, modest, and personally beautiful, living a life of devotion to his family. He died young at the age of 28 from a stomach ailment, leaving behind works that, although few in number, had a significant impact on the genre of satire.

Legacy: His influence can be seen in the works of later satirists like Juvenal. Persius's satires are noted for their moral earnestness and the depth of Stoic thought, contrasting with the often more light-hearted or politically focused satires of his predecessors. His works continue to be studied for their philosophical insights and literary style.

 

The Satires of Horace and Persius (Penguin Classics)

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The Satires of Horace (65-8 BC), written in the troubled decade ending with the establishment of Augustus' regime, provide an amusing treatment of men's perennial enslavement to money, power, glory and sex. Epistles I, addressed to the poet's friends, deals with the problem of achieving contentment amid the complexities of urban life, while Epistles II and the Ars Poetica discuss Latin poetry - its history and social functions, and the craft required for its success. Both works have had a powerful influence on later Western literature, inspiring poets from Ben Jonson and Alexander Pope to W. H. Auden and Robert Frost. The Satires of Persius (AD 34-62) are highly idiosyncratic, containing a courageous attack on the poetry and morals of his wealthy contemporaries - even the ruling emperor, Nero.

 

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