Quintilis

In the 10-month calendar of ancient Rome, Quintilis follows Junius (the month of June) and precedes Sextilis (later August).^[1] Quintilis is Latin for "fifth", that is, it was the fifth month (quintilis mensis) in the earliest calendar attributed to Romulus, which began with the month of Martius ("Mars' month," or March). After the calendar reform that produced a 12-month year, Quintilis became the seventh month, but retained its name. In 45 BC, Julius Caesar instituted a new calendar that made up for astronomical discrepancies in the old, and after his death in 44 BC the month of Quintilis, his birth month, was renamed Julius in his honor, hence July.^[1] The month name is also attested as Quinctilis.^[2]

The following are Latin phrases for the 31 days of Quintilis (or quintilis mensis), numbered as I to XXXI (NP = reform by Numa Pompilius):

I

The Kalends of Quintilis.

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

• On this day, the future Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (born 12, died 41, emperor 37–41) "Caligula" was named consul by the Roman Senate in 31.
• Vespasian was declared emperor this day in 69. He was granted tribunicia potestas ("tribunician power") and these were renewed annually.

II

ante diem VI Nonas Quintilis (Sixth day to the Nones of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

III

ante diem V Nonas Quintilis (Fifth day to the Nones of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

IV

ante diem IV Nonas Quintilis (Fourth day to the Nones of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

V

The Poplifugia.

This day (NP), represented some important type of religious observance.

VI

pridie Nonas (Day before the Nones).

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

VII

Nonas Quintilis (The Nones of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

• This day is the Nonae Caprotinae, or the fig Festival.
• On this day, the rex sacrorum would appear on the steps of the Capitoline Hill and announce what days of the months were holidays for the upcoming year.

VIII

The Vitulatio or Day of Joy. It is a day of celebration honoring Vitula, the goddess of joy and victory.

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

IX

The Vitulatio or Day of Joy. It is a day of celebration honoring Vitula, the goddess of joy and victory.

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

X

ante diem VI Idus Quintilis (Sixth day to the Ides of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XI

ante diem V Idus Quintilis (Fifth day to the Ides of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XII

ante diem IV Idus Quintilis (Fourth day to the Ides of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XIII

ante diem III Idus Quintilis (Third day to the Ides of Quintilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XIV

pridie Idus (Day before the Ides).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XV

idus Quintilis (Ides of Quintilis).

This day (NP) represented some important type of religious observance.

XVI

ante diem XVII Kalendas Sextilis (Seventeenth day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XVII

ante diem XVI Kalendas Sextilis (Sixteenth day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

XVIII

Dies Alliensis.

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XIX

The Lucaria.

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XX

ante diem XIII Kalendas Sextilis (Thirteenth day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XXI

The Lucaria.

This day (NP), represented some important type of religious observance.

XXII

ante diem XI Kalendas Sextilis (Eleventh day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This day (NP), represented some important type of religious observance.

XXIII

The Neptunalia.

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XXIV

The Neptunalia.

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

XXV

The Furrinalia.

This is one of the dies nefasti, a day on which no legal action or public voting could take place.

XXVI

ante diem VII Kalendas Sextilis (Seventh day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This day (NP), represented some important type of religious observance.

XXVII

ante diem VI Kalendas Sextilis (Sixth day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This day (NP), represented some important type of religious observance.

XXVIII

ante diem V Kalendas Sextilis (Fifth day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XXIX

ante diem IV Kalendas Sextilis (Fourth day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XXX

ante diem III Kalendas Sextilis (Third day to the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

XXXI

pridie Kalendas Sextilis (Day before the Kalends of Sextilis).

This is one of the dies comitiales (C), when citizen committees could vote on criminal or political matters.

See also

• Month names: Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Sextilis, Septembris, Octobris, Novembris, Decembris.
• Leap month: Mercedonius or Intercalaris.

Notes