Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Ante Diem V Kalendas August

Modern Date : July 28th

Ante Diem V Kalendas August
Fifth Day to the Kalends of August

This is one of the dies comitiales when committees of citizens could vote on political or criminal matters.

On this day in 450 AD, the emperor of the Eastern Roman empire, Theodosius II, fell from his horse and died in Constantinople without an heir.

July was named in honor of Julius Caesar, and was formerly called Quinctilis, or the fifth month (after March).


Phytias' Day
In Greece, this day was celebrated as Phytias' Day. Damon and Pythias, were two youths whose loyalty to each other symbolizes true friendship. Pythias, a Pythagorean, condemned to death for plotting against Dionysius I of Syracuse, was given leave to arrange his affairs after Damon pledged to give his own life if his friend did not return. When Pythias returned just in time to take his own place for execution, Dionysius was so impressed by their loyal friendship that he released them both. Pythias is a corruption of the name Phintias.


Raksha Bandhan
Siblings in northern India celebrate the Raksha Bandhan. As a sign of family unity, women tie rakshis, amulets made from woven strips of colored yarn, around the wrists of the brothers, and the brothers give gifts to their sisters and promise to protect them. Narial Purnima, "Coconut Full Moon," occurs at the end of July or beginning of August. Varuna, the Vedic god of the sea, is honored with coconuts thrown into the ocean.

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