Roman Timekeeping: Unveiling the Quirks of Seasonal Hours
In the ancient Roman world, timekeeping was far from uniform, with hours fluctuating in duration depending on the season. Unlike the standardized hours we’re accustomed to today, Romans divided their days asymmetrically, aligning them with the changing length of daylight throughout the year.
During certain periods, an hour could stretch to 75 minutes, while in others, it dwindled to just 45 minutes. This unique system stemmed from the division of the day into two segments: from sunset to dawn and from dawn to sunset. This adaptation to the natural rhythms of light and darkness highlights the ingenuity of ancient Roman timekeeping, offering a fascinating glimpse into their daily lives and seasonal adjustments.
