Terminalia, the end of the old Roman year

Post Reply
JairoAmaral
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:47 pm

Terminalia, the end of the old Roman year

Post by JairoAmaral »

Hi!

I'm researching about the origins of the Terminalia, 23 February, a festival said to be related to the end of the old Roman calendar. But that seems to be a dead end. Every source I found either only mentions that, or points to a vague source named "Calendarium", which I couldn't find.

Does any of you know more about this "old roman year", and how it ended in the middle of February?

Thanks in advance.

cb
Textkit Zealot
Posts: 762
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:52 pm

Re: Terminalia, the end of the old Roman year

Post by cb »

Hi, I don't know what specific info you're after, but I suggest you start with classic books on antiquities, which cover e.g. the Roman year (and why it ended in Feb.), and specifically on the Terminalia. You could then look in specific resources on these topics if needed, but this is a decent starting point.

On the Roman year:
https://archive.org/details/RomanAntiqu ... ew=theater

On the Terminalia:
https://archive.org/details/01140320R.n ... ew=theater

Cheers, Chad

JairoAmaral
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:47 pm

Re: Terminalia, the end of the old Roman year

Post by JairoAmaral »

Thank you for your reply, cb!

The specific info I'm looking for is how the "old Roman year" ended up in 23 February of the "new Roman year". I know the old year had only ten months and no February at all. So how did it coincide with that date?

Thank you also for the sources!

Post Reply