Following is a month-by-month list of Roman festivals and games that had a fixed place on the calendar. For some, the date on which they were first established is recorded. A deity's festival often marks the anniversary (
dies natalis, "birthday") of the founding of a temple, or a rededication after a major renovation. Festivals not named for deities are thought to be among the oldest on the calendar. Some religious observances were monthly. The first day of the month was the
Kalends (or Calends, from which the English word "calendar" derives). Each Kalends was sacred to
Juno, and the
Regina sacrorum ("Queen of the Rites," a public priestess) marked the day by presiding over a sacrifice to the goddess. Originally a pontiff and the
Rex sacrorum reported the sighting of the
new moon, and the pontiff announced whether the
Nones occurred on the 5th or 7th of that month. On the Nones, announcements were made regarding events to take place that month; with the exception of the
Poplifugia, no major festivals were held before the Nones, though other ceremonies, such as anniversaries of temple dedications, might be carried out. The
Ides (usually the 13th, or in a few months the 15th) were sacred to
Jupiter. On each Ides, a white lamb was led along the
Via Sacra to the
Capitolium for sacrifice to Jupiter. The list also includes other notable public religious events such as sacrifices and processions that were observed annually but are neither
feriae nor
dies natales. Unless otherwise noted, the calendar is that of
H.H. Scullard,
Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic. ===
Ianuarius=== • 1 (
Calends): From 153 BC onward,
consuls entered office on this date, accompanied by
vota publica (public vows for the wellbeing of the republic and later of the emperor) and the taking of
auspices. Festivals were also held for the imported cult of
Aesculapius and for the obscure god
Vediovis. • 3-5: most common dates for
Compitalia, a movable feast
(feriae conceptivae) • 5 (Nones):
Dies natalis (founding day) of the shrine of
Vica Pota on the
Velian Hill • 9:
Agonalia in honor of
Janus, after whom the month January is named; first of at least four festivals named Agonalia throughout the year • 11 and 15:
Carmentalia, with
Juturna celebrated also on the 11th • 13 (Ides) • 24–26: most common dates for the
Sementivae, a
feriae conceptivae of sowing, perhaps also known as the Paganalia as celebrated by the
pagi • 27:
Dies natalis of the
Temple of Castor and Pollux, or perhaps marking its rededication (see also July 15);
Ludi Castorum ("Games of the Castors") celebrated at
Ostia during the Imperial period ===
Februarius=== In the archaic Roman calendar, February was the last month of the year. The name derives from
februa, "the means of purification, expiatory offerings." It marked a turn of season, with February 5 the official first day of spring bringing the renewal of agricultural activities after winter. • 1 (Kalends):
Dies natalis for the Temple of Juno Sospita, Mother and Queen;
sacra at the Grove of
Alernus, near the
Tiber at the foot of the
Palatine Hill • 5:
Dies natalis for the
Temple of Concord on the
Capitoline Hill • 13 (Ides): minor festival of
Faunus on the
Tiber Island • 13–22:
Parentalia, a commemoration of ancestors and the dead among families • 13: Parentatio, with appeasement of the
Manes beginning at the 6th hour and ceremonies performed by the chief
Vestal; temples were closed, no fires burned on altars, marriages were forbidden, magistrates took off their insignia, until the 21st • 15:
Lupercalia • 17: last day of the
feriae conceptivae Fornacalia, the Oven Festival;
Quirinalia, in honour of
Quirinus • 21:
Feralia, the only public observation of the Parentalia, marked F
(dies festus) in some calendars and FP (a designation of uncertain meaning) in others, with dark rites aimed at the gods below
(di inferi) • 22:
Caristia (or Cara Cognatio, "Dear Kindred"), a potluck meal provided by all the family, and shared in a spirit of love and forgiveness • 23:
Terminalia, in honour of
Terminus • 24:
Regifugium • 27:
Equirria, first of two horse-racing festivals to
Mars ===
Martius=== In the old Roman calendar (until perhaps as late as 153 BC), the
mensis Martius ("Mars' Month") was the first month of the year. It is one of the few months to be named for a god,
Mars, whose festivals dominate the month. • 1 (Kalends): the original New Year's Day when the sacred fire of Rome was renewed; the dancing armed priesthood of the
Salii celebrated the
Feriae Marti (holiday for Mars), which was also the
dies natalis ("birthday") of Mars; also the
Matronalia, in honor of
Juno Lucina, Mars' mother • 7: a second festival for Vediovis • 9: a
dies religiosus when the Salii carried the sacred shields
(ancilia) around the city again • 14: the second
Equirria, a
Feriae Marti also called the
Mamuralia or
sacrum Mamurio • 15 (Ides):
Feriae Iovi, sacred to
Jove, and also the feast of the year goddess
Anna Perenna • 16–17: the procession of the
Argei • 17:
Liberalia, in honour of
Liber; also an
Agonalia for Mars • 19:
Quinquatrus, later expanded into a five-day holiday as Quinquatria, a
Feriae Marti, but also a feast day for
Minerva, possibly because her temple on the
Aventine Hill was dedicated on this day • 23:
Tubilustrium, purification of the trumpets. • 24: a day marked QRCF, when the
Comitia Calata met to sanction wills • 25:
Hilaria, A two-weeks long festival commemorating
Cybele's lamentation (fasting, castigation, taurobolium, festoonment, washing) of the death and rejoicing of at the resurrection of her mortal lover
Attis. • 31: anniversary of the
Temple of Luna on the Aventine ===
Aprilis===
for April, showing the Vinalia (VIN)
and Robigalia (ROB)'' A major
feriae conceptivae in April was the
Latin Festival. • 1 (Kalends):
Veneralia in honour of
Venus • 4–10:
Ludi Megalenses or Megalesia, in honor of the
Magna Mater or
Cybele, whose temple was dedicated April 10, 191 BC • 5: anniversary of the Temple of Fortuna Publica • 12–19:
Cerialia or Ludi Cereri, festival and games for
Ceres, established by 202 BC • 13 (Ides): anniversary of the
Temple of Jupiter Victor • 15:
Fordicidia, offering of a pregnant cow to
Tellus ("Earth"), Juppiter Victor (
Jupiter The Victorious) • 21:
Parilia, rustic festival in honour of
Pales, and the
dies natalis of Rome • 21:
Dies Romana, a festival linked to the
foundation of Rome. According to
legend,
Romulus is said to have founded the city of
Rome on April 21,
753 BC. From this date, the Roman chronology derived its system, known by the
Latin phrase
Ab Urbe condita, meaning
"from the founding of the City", which counted the years from this presumed foundation. • 23: the first of two wine festivals (
Vinalia), the
Vinalia Priora for the previous year's wine, held originally for Jupiter and later Venus • 25:
Robigalia, an agricultural festival involving dog sacrifice • 27 (28 in the
Julian calendar) to May 1:
Ludi Florales in honour of
Flora, extended to May 3 under the Empire ===
Maius=== The
feriae conceptivae of this month was the
Ambarvalia. • 1 (Kalends): Games of Flora continue; sacrifice to
Maia; anniversary of the Temple of Bona Dea on the Aventine; rites for the
Lares Praestites,
tutelaries of the city of Rome • 3: in the Imperial period, a last celebration for Flora, or the anniversary of one of her temples • 9, 11, 13:
Lemuria, a festival of the dead with both public and household rites, possibly with a sacrifice to
Mania on the 11th • 14: anniversary of the Temple of Mars Invictus (Mars the Unconquered); a second procession of the
Argei • 15 (Ides):
Mercuralia, in honor of
Mercury;
Feriae of Jove • 21: one of four
Agonalia, probably a third festival for Vediovis • 23: a second
Tubilustrium;
Feriae for
Volcanus (Vulcan) • 24:
QRCF, following Tubilustrium as in March • 25: anniversary of the Temple of Fortuna Primigenia ===
Iunius=== Scullard places the
Taurian Games on June 25–26, but other scholars doubt these
ludi had a fixed date or recurred on a regular basis. • 1 (Kalends): anniversaries of the Temple of Juno Moneta; of the Temple of Mars on the
clivus (slope, street) outside the
Porta Capena; and possibly of the Temple of the
Tempestates (storm goddesses); also a festival of the complex goddess
Cardea or Carna • 3: anniversary of the Temple of
Bellona • 4: anniversary of the restoration of the Temple of
Hercules Custos • 5: anniversary of the Temple of
Dius Fidius • 7:
Ludi Piscatorii, "Fishermen's Games" • 7–15:
Vestalia, in honour of
Vesta; June 9 was a
dies religiosus to her • 8: anniversary of the Temple of
Mens • 11:
Matralia in honour of
Mater Matuta; also the anniversary of the Temple of Fortuna in the
Forum Boarium • 13 (Ides):
Feriae of Jove • 13–15:
Quinquatrus minusculae, the lesser
Quinquatrus celebrated by
tibicines, flute-players in their role as accompanists to religious ceremonies • 19: a commemoration involving the Temple of Minerva on the Aventine, which had its anniversary March 19 • 20: anniversary of the Temple of
Summanus • 24: festival of
Fors Fortuna, which "seems to have been a rowdy affair" • 27: poorly attested observance in honour of the
Lares; anniversary of the Temple of Jupiter Stator • 29: anniversary of the Temple of
Hercules Musarum, Hercules of the Muses ===Iulius (
Quinctilis)=== Until renamed for
Julius Caesar, this month was called Quinctilis or
Quintilis, originally the fifth month
(quint-) when the year began in March. From this point in the calendar forward, the months had numerical designations. • 1 (Kalends): a scarcely attested anniversary of a temple to Juno Felicitas • 5:
Poplifugia • 6–13:
Ludi Apollinares, games in honour of
Apollo, first held in 212 BC as a one-day event (July 13) and established as annual in 208 BC. • 6: anniversary of the Temple of Fortuna Muliebris • 7 (Nones):
Nonae Caprotinae;
Ancillarum Feriae (Festival of the Serving Women); sacrifice to
Consus by unspecified public priests
(sacerdotes publici); also a minor festival to the two
Pales • 8:
Vitulatio • 14–19: a series of markets or fairs
(mercatus) following the Ludi Apollinares; not religious holidays • 15 (Ides):
Transvectio equitum, a procession of cavalry • 17: anniversary of the Temple of Honos and Virtus; sacrifice to
Victory • 18: a
dies ater ("black day," meaning a day of ill omen) marking the defeat of the Romans by the
Gauls at the
Battle of the Allia in 390 BC, leading to the sack of Rome by the Gauls • 19, 21:
Lucaria • 20–30: Ludi Victoriae Caesaris, "Games of the Victorious Caesar", held annually from 45 BC • 22: anniversary of the Temple of Concordia at the foot of the Capitol • 23:
Neptunalia held in honour of
Neptune • 25:
Furrinalia,
feriae publicae in honour of
Furrina • 30: anniversary of the Temple of the Fortune of This Day (
Fortunae Huiusce Diei) ===
Augustus (Sextilis)=== Until renamed for
Augustus Caesar, this month was called Sextilis, originally the sixth month (sext-) when the year began in March. • 1 (Kalends): anniversary of the Temple of
Spes (Hope) in the
Forum Holitorium, with commemorations also for the "two Victories" on the Palatine • 3:
Supplicia canum ("punishment of the dogs") an unusual dog sacrifice and procession at the temples of Iuventas ("Youth") and Summanus, connected to the Gallic siege • 5: public sacrifice
(sacrificium publicum) at the Temple of
Salus on the Quirinal • 9: public sacrifice to
Sol Indiges • 12: sacrifice of a heifer to Hercules Invictus, with a libation from the
skyphos of Hercules • 13 (Ides): festival of Diana on the Aventine (
Nemoralia), with slaves given the day off to attend; other deities honored at their temples include
Vortumnus, Fortuna Equestris, Hercules Victor (or Invictus at the
Porta Trigemina),
Castor and Pollux, the
Camenae, and Flora • 17:
Portunalia in honour of
Portunus; anniversary of the Temple of Janus • 19:
Vinalia Rustica, originally in honour of Jupiter, but later
Venus • 21:
Consualia, with a sacrifice on the Aventine • 23:
Vulcanalia or
Feriae Volcano in honour of
Vulcan, along with sacrifices to Maia, the
Nymphs
in campo ("in the field", perhaps the
Campus Martius), Ops Opifera, and a Hora • 24: sacrifices to Luna on the
Graecostasis; and the first of three days when the mysterious ritual pit called the
mundus was opened • 25:
Opiconsivia or
Feriae Opi in honour of Ops Consivae at the
Regia • 27:
Volturnalia, when the
Flamen Volturnalis made a sacrifice to
Volturnus • 28: Games at the
Circus Maximus (circenses) for Sol and Luna ===
September=== • 1 (Kalends): ceremonies for Jupiter Tonans ("the Thunderer") on the Capitolium, and Juno Regina on the Aventine • 5: anniversary of one of the temples to Jupiter Stator • 5–19,
Ludi Romani or Ludi Magni, "the oldest and most famous" of the
ludi • 13 (Ides): anniversary of the Temple to Jupiter Optimus Maximus; an
Epulum Iovis; an
epulum to the
Capitoline Triad • 14:
Equorum probatio ("Approval of the Horses"), a cavalry parade of the Imperial period • 20–23: days set aside for markets and fairs
(mercatus) immediately following the Ludi Romani • 23: anniversary of the rededication of the Temple of Apollo in the Campus Martius;
Latona was also honored • 26: anniversary of the Temple of Venus Genetrix vowed by Julius Caesar ===
October=== • 1 (Kalends): ceremonies for
Fides and the
Tigillum Sororium • 3–12: Ludi Augustales, established 14 AD after the death of
Augustus, based on the
Augustalia • 4:
Ieiunium Cereris, a day of
fasting in honour of
Ceres, instituted in 191 BC as a
quinquennial observance, made annual by
Augustus • 5: second of the three days when the
mundus was opened • 6:
dies ater ("black day") to mark the anniversary of the
battle of Arausio (105 BC) • 7 (Nones): rites for Jupiter Fulgur (Jupiter of daytime lightning) and Juno Curitis • 9: rites at shrines for the
Genius Publicus, Fausta Felicitas, and Venus Victrix on the Capitolium • 10: ceremonies to mark a rededication of the Temple of Juno Moneta • 11:
Meditrinalia • 12:
Augustalia, celebrated from 14 AD in honour of the divinized
Augustus, established in 19 BC with a new altar and sacrifice to
Fortuna Redux • 13:
Fontinalia in honour of
Fons • 14: ceremonies to mark a restoration of the Temple of the
Penates Dei on the
Velian Hill • 15 (Ides):
October Horse sacrifice to
Mars in the
Campus Martius; also
Feriae of Jupiter • 19:
Armilustrium, a
dies religiosus in honour of Mars • 26 to November 1:
Ludi Victoriae Sullanae, "Victory Games of Sulla", established as an annual event in 81 BC ===
November=== • 1 (Kalends):
Ludi circenses to close the Sullan Victory Games • 4–17:
Ludi Plebeii (Plebeian Games) • 8: third of the three days when the
mundus ritual pit was opened • 13 (Ides):
Epulum Jovis; also ceremonies for
Feronia and Fortuna Primigeniae • 14: a second
Equorum probatio (cavalry parade), as on July 15 • 18–20: markets and fairs
(mercatus) • 24-30:
Brumalia (continues into December) ===
December=== • 1-17:
Brumalia (continued from November) • 3:
Bona Dea rites for women only • 5 (Nones): a country festival for
Faunus held by the
pagi • 8: festival for
Tiberinus Pater and Gaia • 11:
Agonalia for
Indiges; also the (probably unrelated)
Septimontium • 12: ceremonies at the Temple of Consus on the Aventine • 13 (Ides):
dies natalis of the Temple of Tellus, and associated
lectisternium for Ceres • 15:
Consualia or
Feriae for Consus, the second of the year • 17–23:
Saturnalia in honour of
Saturn, with the public ritual on the 17th • 18 Eponalia in honor of
Epona • 19:
Opalia in honor of
Ops • 21:
Divalia in honor of
Angerona; Hercules and Ceres also received a sacrifice • 22: anniversary of the Temple of the Lares Permarini in the
Porticus Minucia • 23:
Larentalia; commemorations for the temples of Diana and Juno Regina in the
Circus Flaminius, and for the
Tempestates;
Sigillaria, the last day of the Saturnalia, devoted to gift-giving • 25:
Dies Natalis Solis Invicti ("Birthday of the Unconquered Sun") ==
Feriae conceptivae==