DECEMBER
The month of December was originally the tenth month of the civil year. The name of the month is derived from from the Latin word for ten, decem.
December 1 KALENDS To Janus and Juno. Natales templorum for Neptune and for Pietas.
December 2
December 3 To Bona Dea, the Good Goddess. The official state ritual for this day in the city of Rome was a private ceremony for aristocratic women only, held at a prominent magistrate's house. The public rites of Bona Dea held throughout Italy were open to both men and women, and to people of all classes.
December 4
December 5 NONES Faunalia Rustica, to Faunus.
December 6
December 7
December 8 To Tiberinus and Gaia.
December 9
December 10
December 11 Agonalia, to Sol Indiges.
December 12 Natales templorum for Consus on the Aventine Hill.
December 13 IDES To Jupiter and Ceres. Natales templorum for Tellus.
December 14
December 15 Consualia, to Consus.
December 16
December 17 To Saturn. Day 1 of the Saturnalia. Originally held on only one day, the Saturnalia was gradually extended to seven days during the Imperial era.
December 18 To Epona. Day 2 of the Saturnalia.
December 19 Opalia, to Ops. Day 3 of the Saturnalia.
December 20 Day 4 of the Saturnalia.
December 21 Divalia, to Diva Angerona. Offerings to Hercules and Ceres. Day 5 of the Saturnalia.
December 22 Day 6 of the Saturnalia. Natales templorum for the Lares Permarini.
December 23 Larentalia, to Larenta (or Acca Larentia, or Larunda) and Jupiter. Day 7 of the Saturnalia. Natales templorum for Diana, for Juno Regina in Campo, and for the Tempestates.
December 24
December 25 To Sol Invictus. Natales templorum for Sol Invictus. The Syrian cult of Sol Invictus was incorporated into the Roman state religion by the Emperor Aurelian in 1026 AUC. It is assumed by modern scholars, on slight evidence, that this day was also celebrated as the birthday of Mithras. The cult of Mithras was reserved for men only. It was popular among soldiers during the Imperial era, but it was never part of the official state religion of Rome.
December 26
December 27
December 28
December 29
December 30
December 31