Roman Calendar

8 Days a Week: Julian Calendar History

The Roman or “pre-Julian” calendar has changed several times between its creation and the fall of the Roman Empire.

The name of each day of the month is written next to the day's number. The first was called "Calendis". Note how on the 6th of the month it actually starts counting backwards towards the ides of the month (the ides of January were on the 13th). After that it is essentially a countdown towards the Calends of the following month; hence the 14th of Januarius (January, month of the god Janus) was known as "the ninenteenth day before the Calends of Februarius". The name Februarius came from the…

Roman Calendar

Ancient Roman calendar for months January through June

At the start of the new year, the Romans took the time to worship the strange god Janus. This odd deity is often overlooked when discussing ancient Romand religion, yet he was considered to be a pivotal member of the divine pantheon. With his two heads: one face gazing into the past and the other peering into the future, Janus was thought to guard gates, doorways, and the passage of time itself. But how did the Romans worship him? Why does he hold such a prominent position at the start of…

Jacobus Harrewijn (1660-1727) ~ Luna, November, from the Months series of engravings 1698

History map of the Holy Roman Empire under the Hohenstaufen, 1138-1254; illustrating the boundary of the Holy Roman Empire, Pomerania, Pomerelia, Prussia, the Hohenstaufen, the Ascanian possessions, the territory in Italy claimed by the Pope, the Lombard League, imperial cities, and battle sites.