THE ROMAN CALENDAR

Heri – Hodie – Cras –Perendie, Hebdomada, Annus, Saeculum

Mensis (+ Adjectives)

Mensis Januarius

Mensis Februarius

Mensis Martius

Mensis Aprilis

Mensis Maius

Mensis Junius

Mensis Quintilis or Jiulius

Mensis Sextilis or Augustus

Mensis September

Mensis October

Mensis November

Mensis December

Each Month has three important days :

Kalendae:

always on the 1st day of all the months

Nonae:

on the 5th day of January, February, April, June, August, September, November, December;

on the 7th day of March, May, July, October.

Idus:

on the 13th day of January, February, April, June, August, September, November, December;

on the 15th day of day of March, May, July, October.

The day are counted according to the number of days before the Kalendae, Nonae and Idus:

Kalendis Januariis = 1st day of January

(die) sixto ante nonas = 2nd day of January

(die) quinto ante nonas = 3rd day of January

pridie nonas = 6th day of January

Nonis Januariis = 7th day of January

(die) tertio ante idus = 13th day of January

pridie idus = 14th day of January

Idibus Januariis = 15th day of Janaury…

(die) decimo septimo ante kalendas februarias = 16th day of January…

Dates are written as follows:

a.d. IV Kal. Jan. (ante diem quartum Kalendas Januarias) = 29th of December,

a.d. V Non. Mai. (ante diem quintum Nonas Maias) = 3rd of May,

a.d. IV Id. Apr. (ante diem quartum Idus Apriles) = 10th of April

* The Day (DIES), from sunrise and sunset, was divided into 12 hours (HORAE) of equal length, longer in summer than in winter.

Noon was the beginning of the 7th Hour (SEPTIMA HORA).

* The Night (NOX-NOCTIS) was divided into 12 hours or 4 watches (VIGILIAE), of unequal length according to the seasons.