RomaThe Novel Of Ancient Rome

STEVEN SAYLOR

To the shade of Titus Livius, known in English as Livy, who preserved for us the earliest tales of earliest Rome

ROMAN MONTHS AND DAYS

The names of the Roman months were Januarius, Februarius, Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Quinctilis (later Julius, to honor Julius Caesar), Sextilis (later Augustus, to honor Caesar Augustus), September, October, November, and December.

The first day of each month was called the Kalends. The Ides fell on the 15th day of Martius, Maius, Quinctilis, and October, and on the 13th day of the other months. The Nones fell nine days before the Ides.

LEGEND IS HISTORICAL, JUST AS HISTORY IS LEGENDARY.

Alexandre Grandazzi, The Foundation of Rome

A STOP ON THE SALT ROUTE

1000 B.C.

As they rounded a bend in the path that ran beside the river, Lara recognized the silhouette of a fig tree atop a nearby hill. The weather was hot and the days were long. The fig tree was in full leaf, but not yet bearing fruit.

Soon Lara spotted other landmarks—an outcropping of limestone beside the path that had a silhouette like a man’s face, a marshy spot beside the river where the waterfowl were easily startled, a tall tree that looked like a man with his arms upraised. They were drawing near to the place where there was an island in the river. The island was a good spot to make camp. They would sleep on the island tonight.