Indian Epigraphy c15.t12.5

c15.t12.5

1. The Roman year was originally of 304 days divided into 10 months from March to December, the fifth month (July) being called Quinctilis and the sixth (August) Sextilis. Numa Pompilius (715-672 B.C.) added January at the beginning and February at the end and introduced the year of 12 lunar months and of 355 days. From 452 B.C., the year was regarded as solar, though it continued to consist of 355 days, while 22 and 23 days were added respectively to the second and fourth years in four years. Thus the average year of 366¼ days had one day more than the ordinary solar year. The gradually increasing difference had to be rectified from time to time by the recognition of additional months.