New Year’s Day, Kalendis Ianuariis

As the god of beginnings, pious Romans invoke Janus at the first hour of the day, on the Kalends of each month, at the beginning of planting season, and at the start of the harvest. Janus is also celebrated on the first day of the new year.

The Kalends of Januarius did not become New Year’s day until A.U.C. 601 [153 BC] by decree of the Senate, when it replaced the old New Year on the Kalends of Martius. The great Julius Caesar confirmed the new date when his reformed calendar was put into effect in A.U.C. 709 [45 BC].

Romans have adopted the custom of exchanging small gifts on the New Year for good luck and health, especially strenae of evergreen or twigs from the grove of Salus.

The Priest of Janus

The rex sacrorum (also known as the rex sacrificulus) was the highest religious position in the Religio Romana and also the only priest specifically dedicated to Janus. The rex sacrorum, the king of sacred things, succeeded to the religious functions of the Roman kings after the overthrow of the monarchy. Chosen from the patrician order and appointed for life, the rex sacrorum was prohibited from assuming any political office and from sitting in the Senate as a precaution to prevent the holder from becoming a tyrant. The position was eventually reduced in importance by giving more authority to the Pontifex Maximus as a further guard against tyranny.

The rex sacrorum was a permanent member of the collegium pontificum. Along with his wife, the regina, he performed important ceremonial duties.