Q 01/05

The month of January takes its name from which Roman god of beginnings and doorways?

A) Janus

B) Jupiter

C) Juno

D) Mars

Answer · why

A) Janus

Janus was invoked at the start of every Roman ceremony, whichever god the ceremony was actually for.

Q 02/05

How many days does January have?

A) 28

B) 29

C) 30

D) 31

Answer · why

D) 31

Seven of the twelve months are that long, and only February never reaches 30.

Q 03/05

The god January is named for is usually shown with what unusual feature?

A) Wings on his heels

B) A double-sided head

C) A third eye

D) A lion's body

Answer · why

B) A double-sided head

One face looks back at the old year and one looks forward to the new, which is why he suits the month that opens the year.

Q 04/05

Which semi-legendary king of Rome traditionally added January and February to the ten-month calendar?

A) Romulus

B) Tarquin the Proud

C) Servius Tullius

D) Numa Pompilius

Answer · why

D) Numa Pompilius

The old ten-month year ran to just 304 days, with the winter simply left uncounted.

Q 05/05

Per Livy, in which year BC did the Roman consular year move to 1 January, in response to a rebellion in Hispania?

A) 153 BC

B) 121 BC

C) 89 BC

D) 44 BC

Answer · why

A) 153 BC

Consuls had previously entered office in March, which is why the year began in spring for so long.