2. While we count the days of the month forwards starting, for example, with the first of April and
ending with the 30th,the Romans counted the days backwards. And not just from the end of
the month, but from the first quarter and the middle of the month and then from the first day
of the next month.
So the day we would call the 20th day of January Romans would call the 13th day before the
first of February
Days were referred to as so many days before the Kalendae, the Nonae, or the Idus
1st day of the month
5th day, except on
March, May, July and
October. It was the 7th day
13th day except on
March, May, July and
October. It was the 15th day
EXAMPLES: 26th March: 7 th day before Kalendae of April.
8th February: 6 th day before Idus of February
Roman calendar
There were 3 important days the Kalendae,
The Nonae
The Idus
