Rome’s pagan Days & Months
Rome’s Pagan Days of the Week Deities
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Sunday – Dies Solis (Day of the Sun)
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Named after the Roman sun god, Sol (Latin) or Helios (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The First day of the Week, relating to Day 1: the Creation of Light
Genesis 1:1-5
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Monday – Dies Lunae (Day of the Moon)
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Named after the Roman moon goddess, Luna (Latin) or Selene (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The Second Day of the Week, relating to Day 2: the Creation of the Sky
Genesis 1:6-8
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Tuesday – Dies Martis (Day of Mars)
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Named after the Roman god of war, Mars (Latin) or Ares (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The Third day of the Week, relating to Day 3: the Creation of Land and Vegetation
Genesis 1:9-13
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Wednesday – Dies Mercurii (Day of Mercury)
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Named after the Roman messenger god, Mercurius (Latin) or Hermes (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The Fourth day of the Week, relating to Day 4: the Creation of Sun, Moon, and Stars
Genesis 1:14-19
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Thursday – Dies Iovis (Day of Jupiter)
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Named after the Roman king of the gods, Iuppiter (Latin) or Zeus (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The Fifth day of the Week, relating to Day 5: the Creation of Sea Creatures and Birds
Genesis 1:20-23
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Friday – Dies Veneris (Day of Venus)
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Named after the Roman goddess of love, Venus (Latin) or Aphrodite (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The Sixth day of the Week, relating to Day 6: the Creation of Land Animals and Man
Genesis 1:24-31
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Saturday – Dies Saturni (Day of Saturn)
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Named after the Roman god of agriculture, Saturnus (Latin) or Cronus (Greek)
- In Hebrew: The Seven day of the Week, relating to Day 7: the Creation of the day of Sabbath
Genesis 2:1-3
Please Note: The 7th Day, is the first day with a Commandment attached to it. -
Exodus 20:8-11 (KJV) 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
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Sunday
The name “Sunday” has pagan origins that are linked to ancient solar deities and practices. Here’s a breakdown of its origins:
Latin Roots
- Origin: The name “Sunday” comes from the Old English word “Sunnandæg”, which means “Sun’s day.” This naming convention is derived from the Latin “dies Solis”, meaning “day of the Sun.”
- Latin Influence: In Latin, the days of the week were named after celestial bodies and deities. “Dies Solis” was dedicated to the Sun, reflecting its importance in Roman culture and religion.
Roman and Norse Influence
- Roman Tradition: In Roman mythology, Sol was the god of the Sun. The day dedicated to Sol was important in Roman religious practices and was named “dies Solis.”
- Norse Tradition: In the Norse tradition, the name of the day was influenced by the god Sól or Sunna, the personification of the Sun. This reflects a similar solar worship tradition in the Germanic peoples.
Historical Context
- Solar Worship: In many ancient cultures, the Sun was considered a powerful deity, and the day dedicated to the Sun was an important aspect of their religious and cultural practices. This reverence for the Sun is reflected in the naming of the day.
- Christian Adaptation: As Christianity spread, the early Christians adopted the Roman calendar and its naming conventions, including the names of the days of the week. Although Sunday became a day of Christian worship, it retained its name reflecting its pagan origins.
Summary
Sunday’s name is rooted in ancient pagan practices and reflects the Sun’s significance in various cultures. The day was dedicated to the Sun in Roman times, and this tradition was carried over into the naming conventions of the week in various languages and cultures.
Roman Months of the Year Deities and their Celebrations
The months of the year in the Roman calendar were closely tied to Roman deities and religious practices. The correlation between the months and pagan Roman gods and goddesses is primarily reflected in the names and festivals associated with each month. Here’s a breakdown of how the Roman months relate to their pagan traditions:
1. January (Ianuarius)
- Deity: Janus
- Role: Janus was the god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways. January was named in his honor, reflecting the start of the new year and new beginnings.
2. February (Februarius)
- Deity: Februus (also known as Lupercus)
- Role: Februus was a god of purification and the underworld. February was a time for purification rituals and the celebration of the festival Lupercalia, which was associated with fertility and purification.
3. March (Martius)
- Deity: Mars
- Role: Mars was the god of war and agriculture. March marked the beginning of the military campaign season and was associated with Mars, reflecting both war and agricultural activities.
4. April (Aprilis)
- Deity: Aphrodite/Venus (Greek and Roman connection)
- Role: April is thought to be named after Aphrodite (Venus in Roman mythology) or from the Latin word “aperire,” meaning “to open,” possibly referring to the opening or blossoming of flowers and trees.
5. May (Maius)
- Deity: Maia
- Role: Maia was an earth goddess of growth and fertility. May was dedicated to her and was associated with the growth of crops and vegetation.
6. June (Iunius)
- Deity: Juno
- Role: Juno was the goddess of marriage and childbirth. June was named in her honor and was considered an auspicious month for weddings.
7. July (Julius)
- Deity: Julius Caesar
- Role: Originally named Quintilis (the fifth month), it was renamed July in honor of Julius Caesar following his assassination. Although not a deity, Caesar was associated with the month due to his significant impact on Roman history.
8. August (Augustus)
- Deity: Augustus Caesar
- Role: Originally named Sextilis (the sixth month), it was renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus. Like July, it was named to honor a prominent figure rather than a deity.
9. September (September)
- Deity: No specific deity (derived from Latin)
- Role: September means “seven” in Latin, reflecting its position as the seventh month in the original Roman calendar. It was not directly associated with a specific deity but was a month of several agricultural festivals.
10. October (October)
- Deity: No specific deity (derived from Latin)
- Role: October means “eight” in Latin, reflecting its position as the eighth month in the original Roman calendar. It also had various harvest and agricultural festivals.
11. November (November)
- Deity: No specific deity (derived from Latin)
- Role: November means “nine” in Latin, reflecting its position as the ninth month. It was associated with various Roman festivals and rites, including the Festival of the Dead.
12. December (December)
- Deity: No specific deity (derived from Latin)
- Role: December means “ten” in Latin, reflecting its position as the tenth month. It was associated with the Saturnalia, a major festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest.
Summary
The names of the months in the Roman calendar were influenced by deities and figures of importance in Roman religion and culture. While some months were named directly after gods and goddesses, others were named after significant figures or derived from Latin numerical terms. The calendar reflects the integration of religious practices into the structure of the year, showcasing the importance of both deities and political figures in Roman society.