Modern Date : January 1st

Kalendae Januariae
The Kalends of January

    This is one of the dies fasti (F), on which legal actions are permitted.

    The kalends were the day on which interest payments were due in Rome. In stable economic times the interest rate was 1/2% (per month).
    January is named for the god Janus, the god of Beginnings. This day, the Kalends, was not originally the first day of the year (it was March 1st), and therefore they had no traditional celebration of this day. On this day the Romans traditionally exchanged strenae (French etrenne), or gifts.
    In 153 BCE this day became the beginning of the Roman Civil year, when the Consuls entered office. This had previously occurred on March 15th.
    Vediovis, a god representing a young Jove (juvenis or juvenile) was honored this day and in 193 BCE a temple to Vediovis was dedicated in Rome.
    Pertinax became emperor this day in 193 AD.
    This day was also known as the Festival of Juno. Juno was called Unial by the Etruscans. Known as Hera to the Greeks, she was also known as Saturnia to the Romans. Juno was the goddess of marriage and childbirth. She was wedded to Zeus in the Garden of the Gods where Gaea created in her honor a tree of life bearing golden fruit.



Modern Date : January 2nd

ante diem IV Nonas Januarias
Fourth Day to the Nones of January

    This is one of the dies fasti (F), on which legal actions are permitted.

    This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.
    Vitellius was named emperor this day in 69 AD.
    On this day the Egyptians, and many Romans, would celebrate the Advent of Isis, the Egyptian Mother Goddess. Although a foreign deity, Isis was honored with a temple at Rome. Professional singers, musicians, and dancers, mostly female, would perform at the temple during this festival. The performance involved actors playing the parts of Isis and Nephthys in the mystery plays celebrating the death and resurrection of Osiris. These were perhaps the oldest mystery plays on earth, predating even those of Mesopotamia.
    Modern Date : January 3rd

    ante diem III Nonas Januarias
    The Festival of Pax


      This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

      This day was set aside to honor the Roman Goddess of Peace, Pax, whose temple stood open in Rome during times of peace, but was closed during war. It remained open for over 200 years continuously during the Pax Romana, an achievement unimaginable in modern times. It was locked closed by the Christians who ultimately tore it down. The world has not known a year without war since.
      This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.


      Modern Date : January 4th

      pridie Nonas Januarias
      Day before the Nones of January


        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.



      Modern Date : January 5th

      The Nones of January

        This is one of the dies fasti (F), on which legal actions are permitted. The rex sacrorum would appear on the steps of the Capitol on this day and announce to the people what days of the months would be holidays.

        In Greece, this day was the Festival of Kore. Kore was also known as Cora, Core, Catherine, Persephone, and Proserpina. Persephone was a goddess associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries and was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter (Ceres). Her name means the Maid. Such was their happiness that Persephone was inseparable from her mother. Zeus, without Demeter's knowledge, gave her in marriage to Hades who opened the earth and snatched her while she was gathering flowers. In sadness at this loss and unable to get Hades to relinquish her daughter, Demeter let the crops wither. Zeus then arranged a compromise in which Persephone would spend part the year with Demeter and then four months with the grim lord. And so we have the winter when the plants will not grow.
        The Nones mark the ninth day before the Ides. On the Nones, the month's activities were formally announced and the people could make their plans, both for business and for festivities, accordingly.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.

      Modern Date : January 6th Market Day

      antediem VIII Idus Januarias
      Day 8 to the Ides of January

        This is one of the dies fasti (F), on which legal actions are permitted.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings.
        The ancient Christians celebrated this day, and the previous evening, as the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth, known as the Great Teacher prior to his deification in the 1st century. Later Christians prevaricated his day of birth, among other things.
        The Egyptians celebrated this day as the Feast of Kore, the Goddess of Fertility and, by that nature, of cereal grains and agriculture. Kore was also known as Cora, Core, Catherine, Persephone, and Proserpina. Persephone was a goddess associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries and was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter (Ceres). Her name means the Maid. Such was their happiness that Persephone was inseparable from her mother. Zeus, without Demeter's knowledge, gave her in marriage to Hades who opened the earth and snatched her while she was gathering flowers. In sadness at this loss and unable to get Hades to relinquish her daughter, Demeter let the crops wither. Zeus then arranged a compromise in which Persephone would spend part the year with Demeter and then four months with the grim lord. And so we have the winter when the plants will not grow.



      Modern Date : January 7th Market Day

      antediem VII Idus Januarias
      Day 7 to the Ides of January

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.
        On this day in 49 BCE, Julius Caesar was ordered to disband his army. He refused, and crossed the Rubicon three days later.
        To the Egyptians this day was celebrated as the birthday of Sekhmet, the goddess of the healing arts. Sekhmet was a goddess of the Memphis triad, sometimes shown as a lion-headed woman. Sekhmet was prayed to by mothers who wished to nurse their children, as in the following incantation: O thou who lives on the water, hasten to the Judge in his divine abode, to Sekhmet who walks behind him, and to Isis, ruler of Dep, saying, "bring her this milk."
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings.



      Modern Date : January 8th Market Day

      ante diem VI Idus Januarias
      Day 6 to the Ides of January

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.
        In Greece, this day was the Lesser Festival of Dionysius. Dionysius (Bacchus), the god of wine, was the son of Zeus and Semele. As wine was considered to have medicinal and cultural value, Dionysius was viewed as a promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and a lover of peace.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.



      Modern Date : January 9th Market Day

      The Agonalia

        This day (NP), is for special religious observance. On this day the rex sacrorum would offer sacrifrice to the gods of an animal untamed by the yoke.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Agonalia is the particular day of January which was used to honor Janus. Janus was an ancient deity of the Italians as well, and was often represented as having two faces. Religious rites, and feasts were the order of the day. Janus had numerous temples at Rome. The doors of the main temple were opened during wartime and closed during peace.



      Modern Date : January 10th

      ante diem IV Idus Januarias
      Day 4 to the Ides of January

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.
        This was the day Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon and began his successful march on Rome. His enemies fled at the news and he entered Rome to welcoming crowds.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 11th

      The Carmentalia

        This day (NP), is for special religious observance.

        The Carmentalia is a day which belongs to the goddess Carmenta. She was otherwise known as Metis, the Titaness of Wisdom. She is also called Car, Carya, or Car the Wise. Carmenta was the mother of Evander. After arriving in Latium with her son, she went atop the Capitoline Hill and began prophesying. Afterwards she became revered as a deity. She is also considered the goddess of childbirth. After her are named the Caryae (walnut trees) and the Carytids (nut nymphs).
        Carmenta is also credited with inventing the 15-letter Latin alphabet. A temple in Rome was dedicated to her and known as the Temple of Carmentis. The right arch of this temple was called the porta scelerata, the portal of guilt, because the Fabii passed through it on their way to destruction at Cremera.
        This day has been referred to as the Juturnalia also, in celebration of Juturna, who was the wife of Janus. She was a goddess of the underworld and is symbolized by springs, which bring forth water from below.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings.
        The emperor Galba was murdered this day in the Forum in 69 AD. He was 71. Otho acceded to the empire the same day.


      Modern Date : January 12th

      pridie Idus Januarias
      The Carmentalia

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

        This was the day in 49 BC when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon and marched on Rome, ending the Republic and beginning the Empire.
        The Carmentalia celebrations continued this day in honor of the goddess Carmenta. She was otherwise known as Metis, the Titaness of Wisdom. She is also called Car, Carya, or Car the Wise. Carmenta was the mother of Evander.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 13th

      The Ides of January

          This day (NP), is for special religious observance.

          The Carmentalia celebrations continued this day in honor of the goddess Carmenta. She was otherwise known as Metis, the Titaness of Wisdom. She is also called Car, Carya, or Car the Wise. Carmenta was the mother of Evander.
          On this day in 27 BCE, Octavian (Augustus) was declared proconsul for 10 years.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.
          This day was sacred to Jupiter.


      Modern Date : January 14th

      ante diem XIX Kalendas Februarias
      The Carmentalia

          This is one of then endotercisus (EN), on which mornings could be for voting and afternoons not, or vice-versa.

          The Carmentalia celebrations continued this day in honor of the goddess Carmenta. She was otherwise known as Metis, the Titaness of Wisdom. She is also called Car, Carya, or Car the Wise. Carmenta was the mother of Evander.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 15th

      ante diem XVIII Kalendas Februarias
      The Carmentalia

          This day (NP), is for special religious observance.

          This is the final day of the Carmentalia which began January 11th in honor of the goddess Carmenta. She was otherwise known as Metis, the Titaness of Wisdom. She is also called Car, Carya, or Car the Wise. Carmenta was the mother of Evander. After arriving in Latium with her son, she went atop the Capitoline Hill and began prophesying. Afterwards she became revered as a deity. She is also considered the goddess of childbirth. A temple in Rome was dedicated to her and known as the Temple of Carmentis. The right arch of this temple was called the porta scelerata, because the Fabii passed through it on their way to their destruction at Cremera. After her are named the Caryae (walnut trees) and the Carytids (nut nymphs).
          On this day in 69 AD, the emperor Galba was killed by his Praetorian guards.
          On this night at about 10 PM, the constellation Orion culminates, or reaches its highest point. To the ancients it was the best known constellation and the resemblance of the pattern to a tunic with a belt, and the bow being shot at Taurus, was obvious to the Greeks, to whom it was known in 425 BC. The Egyptian pyramids are arranged in the pattern of Orion's primary stars.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.

      Modern Date : July 16th Market Day

      ante diem XVII Kalendas August
      Seventeenth Day to the Kalends of August

      This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

      July was named in honor of Julius Caesar, and was formerly called Quinctilis, or the fifth month (after March).
      On this day in 622 AD, Mohammed was driven out of Mecca, beginning the Hegira.
      In Egypt, this day was celebrated as the Birthday of Set.


      Modern Date : July 17th Market Day

      ante diem XVI Kalendas August
      Sixteenth Day to the Kalends of August

        This day (NP), is for special religious observance.

        On this day in Rome a temple was dedicated to Honos and Virtus, the deified abstractions of Honor and Virtue.
        July was named in honor of Julius Caesar, and was formerly called Quinctilis, or the fifth month (after March).
        In Egypt, this day was celebrated as the Birthday of Isis.


      Modern Date : July 18th Market Day

      ante diem XV Kalendas August
      Dies Alliensis
        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

        This day is known as dies Alliensis, and commemorates the disastrous defeat of the Roman army by the Gauls at the river Allia in 390 BC.
        July was named in honor of Julius Caesar, and was formerly called Quinctilis, or the fifth month (after March).
        The Great Fire of Rome began this day in 64 AD, and raged for seven days. Nero, who probably had the fire set, arrested and executed a dozen Christians as scapegoats.
        In Egypt, this day was celebrated as the Birthday of Nephtys.


      Modern Date : July 19th Market Day

      The Lucaria

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

        After the defeat of the Roman army by the Gauls in 390 BC, the survivors hid in the woods (lucus) and this day is called the Lucaria in commemoration of the event. After the sack of Rome the remnants of the Roman army pulled themselves together, and in a bold surprise attack, wiped out the Gauls as they were heading out of Latium, exacting due vengeance.
        July was named in honor of Julius Caesar, and was formerly called Quinctilis, or the fifth month (after March).
        The Great Fire raged across Rome for the second day in 64 AD. Nero blamed the Christians, although he probably had the fire set himself. A dozen or so Christians were burned alive to satiate the populace.
        This day was the Egyptian New Year's Day, when the dog star Sirius would rise. The Egyptians celebrated the wedding of Isis and Osiris this day.
        In Greece, this day was celebrated as the wedding day of Adonis and Aphrodite (Venus).


      Modern Date : July 20th Market Day

      ante diem XIII Kalendas August
      Thirteenth Day to the Kalends of August

      This day (NP), is for special religious observance.

      The observance of the Lucaria, the commemoration of the sack of Rome by the Gauls and the subsequent destruction of the Gallic army, continued today, although as an even numbered day, it was not named as such.
      This day was the birthday of Alexander the Great.
      This was the third day of the Great Fire in Rome in 64 AD. The emperor Nero reportedly played his lyre and sang as he watched from a distance.
      July was named in honor of Julius Caesar, and was formerly called Quinctilis, or the fifth month (after March).


      Modern Date : January 21st

      ante diem XII Kalendas Februarias
      Day 12 to the Kalends of February

          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

          Nero's wife Poppaea gave birth to his daughter Claudia this day in 63 AD. Neither survived very long.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.
          This is the 1st day of the 2nd month of the 13 month Druidic calendar. The sequent letter is L for the tree Rowan (Luis).


      Modern Date : January 22nd

      ante diem XI Kalendas Februarias
      Day 11 to the Kalends of February

          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.


      Modern Date : January 23rd

      ante diem X Kalendas Februarias
      Day 10 to the Kalends of February
          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 24th

      ante diem IX Kalendas Februarias
      Day 9 to the Kalends of February

          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.


          Caligula was assassinated on the Palatine, during the last day of the Palatine Games, in Rome in 41 AD. His wife and daughter were also murdered. Claudius was proclaimed emperor the same day. Caligula was murdered by Cassius Charea, captain of the guards, apparently because of one too many frivolous slights, rather than any politics. Cassius Charea was one of the most reknowned Roman officers, have led the eighty surviving soldiers back from the massacre of the three legions in the Teutorberger forest in Germany. He was executed under Roman military law.
          The emperor Hadrian was born Publius Aelius Hadrianus at Rome this day in 76 AD.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings.


      Modern Date : January 25th

      ante diem VIII Kalendas Februarias
      Day 8 to the Kalends of February

          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

          On this day in 41 BCE Claudius was named emperor. Although despised by many as an idiot, he had a distinguished, even scholarly, reign.
          The emperor Nerva fell ill this day in 98 AD after a fit of anger, and died a day later.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.

      Modern Date : January 26th

      ante diem VII Kalendas Februarias
      Day 7 to the Kalends of February

          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 27th

      ante diem VI Kalendas Februarias
      Day 6 to the Kalends of February

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.
        The emperor Nerva died on this day of apoplexy (stroke or brain hemhorrage) in 98 AD after a fit of anger. He was 62 and was succeeded by Trajan.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.


      Modern Date : January 28th

      ante diem V Kalendas Februarias
      Day 5 to the Kalends of February

          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.


          Trajan became emperor this day in 98 AD.
          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 29th

      ante diem IV Kalendas Februarias
      Day 4 to the Kalends of February

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

        The emperor Didius Julianus was born at Milan this day in 133 AD.
        On this day in 282 BCE, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the second Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt after Alexander, died.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.


      Modern Date : January 30th

      ante diem III Kalendas Februarias
      Day 3 to the Kalends of February


          This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.


          This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. The Romans had numerous temples to Janus. Whenever war was declared, the chief magistrate would lead a ceremony in which the doors of the main temple of Janus were opened. In time of peace they were normally shut.


      Modern Date : January 31st

      pridie Kalendas Februarias
      Day before the Kalends of February

        This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

        In Greece, this day was celebrated as the Feast of Hecate, known to the Romans as Diana Lucifera. Diana had three manifestations, Luna in the Heavens (the moon), Diana the Huntress on earth, and Diana Ludifera in Hades, the Underworld. Diana was the goddess of the moon and was called Diana Lucifera which means the Bringer of Light. The name Lucifera was also applied to the morningstar Venus. The Christians gave the name negative connotations in their systematic attempts to discredit the Roman gods. The Greeks knew Diana as Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo, and daughter of Zeus and Leto. She was born under Mount Cynthus in Delos and hence was also called Cynthia and Delia. She was the goddess of hunting, carried a bow and quiver like her brother, and was especially fond of music and dance. Diana was never conquered by love, and submitted to no man, hence she was the goddess of a "chaste" moon and, except for her family, tolerated only female companions. Her priestesses were all chaste.
        This month is sacred to Janus, the god of Beginnings. Janus is the porter of heaven and considered the guardian deity of gates and doors. He is often shown as two-headed since doors face both ways.

      Mois de Février