The nones of July, ancient Rome

http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/book/jul7.html In the Roman calendar, the nones of a month were the fifth day of the months January, February, April, June, August, September, November, and December, and the seventh day of March, May, July, and October; traditionally the day of the Half Moon. The nones were nine days before the ides (depending on the month, these could be the 13th and 15th day; traditionally the day of the Full Moon), reckoning inclusively, according to the Roman method.

The Caprotine Nones, Latium, Roman Empire (Jul 7- 8)
This was the Fig Festival, and Festival of Handmaids – the maids’ day off. Wild fig trees (caprificus) were venerated today, with feasting beneath them in honour of Caprotina, an aspect of Juno (warrior goddess), to whom they made offerings. Maids had a sham fight with stones and abused each other. The festival might have earlier been a fertility rite. The next day a thanksgiving, celebrated by the pontifices, or priests ...



Categories: rome, ancient-rome, calendar-customs