Romans (Bellum Romanum)

Romans (Latin: Romani) are an ethnic group native to and citizens of the Roman Republic. They are largely based around the, specifically below the and  rivers on the peninsula. Romans near-unanimously follow Jovism as a religion, and the religion plays a large part in daily life. Romans speak Latin, the only surviving language and the parent of many languages in the region.

A small Roman diaspora exists throughout and in minor enclaves all throughout the world. During Rome's near three thousand-year history, its people have contributed greatly to the fields of philosophy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, medicine, engineering, linguistics, the social sciences, law, literature, the visual arts, music, and film. It could even be argued that the Romans have founded many of these very fields of study, science, and art.

Religion
Nearly all Romans follow Jovism, a denomination of Paganism, as the polytheistic of Rome. While modern adherents use the religion to define themselves as a people, early Romans adopted the religious practices of peoples brought under and integrated into Roman rule, such as the or.

The earliest of of Rome's religious institutions could be traced to its founders, particularly, the second , who negotiated directly with the gods. This was the foundation of the mos maiorum, "the way of the ancestors" or simply "tradition", viewed as central to Roman identity. Eventually, the religion of the Romans underwent extensive reformation in the 3rd century based on the life and teachings of Apollonius, who lived two centuries prior.

During his life, Apollonius denounced decadence and greed, healed the sick, gave to the needy, spoke as a law-giver, was condemned by Roman authorities, and upon his death, he was seen as the savior of the world, sent by the gods.

Calendar
Romans follow the well-known, international Furian calendar. The Furian calendar is a solar calendar with 12 months and normally, 365 days. Although the length of the year, month, weeks, and days are the same in every nation which uses the Furian calendar, the name of the months and days vary from culture to culture.

Holidays
The Romans are renowned for their relatively large amount of holidays occurring all throughout the year; during which work is preferably avoided. The most famous of which, Saturnalia, is held at the end of the year, in December. Many holidays are held in honor of deities such as Janus, although some may be secular, such as the Regifugium. Holidays can generally be either formal, with visits to temples and held with family; or celebratory and merry, held in public with friends and the community.

Some holidays are held monthly, such as first day of every month, the Calends. These days are sacred to Juno, the queen of the gods. The second monthly observance are the Ides, which are sacred to Jupiter. The Ides are held on the fifteenth day of longer months and the thirteenth day of shorter months. Like other holidays, work is preferably avoided on the Calends and Ides.

Mensis Januarius (January) Mensis Februarius (February) Mensis Martius (March) Mensis Aprilis (April) Mensis Maius (May) Mensis Junius (June) Mensis Julius (July) Mensis Augustus (August) Mensis September (September) Mensis October (October) Mensis November (November) Mensis December (December)
 * 1: Calendae Januariae - Calends of January - Traditionally, any high-ranking politician, official, or magistrate within the Roman Republic is inaugurated on this date, accompanied by public vows for the protection of the Republic.
 * 3–5: Compitalia - A smaller festival celebrating the specific god or goddess that watches over a community.
 * 9: Agonalia - A holiday dedicated to dedicated to Janus.
 * 11: Carmentalia - A holiday dedicated to Carmenta, the goddess of childbirth. At home, women and girls receive gifts from their male relatives.
 * 15: Idus Januarii - Ides of January
 * 16–19: Feriae Latinae - Latin Festival - A large festival held exclusively in Rome, which the entire Senate and Consul attends.
 * 1: Calendae Februariae - Calends of February
 * 13–22: Parentalia - A long religious observance during which the Romans honor relatives who have passed.
 * 13: Idus Februarii - Ides of February
 * 23: Lupercalia - A festival dedicated to Faunus, god of animals, in order to lighten the mood from the sobering Parentalia.
 * 24: Regifugium - A celebratory holiday commemorating the expulsion of .
 * 1: Matronalia (Calendae Martiae - Calends of March) - A holiday held on the Calends of March; the Matronalia observed in honor of Roman mothers.
 * 15: Idus Martii - Ides of March
 * 19: Quinquatria - A festival dedicated to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.
 * 23: Tubilustrium - A holiday honoring all those who have served in the Roman Military.
 * 1: Veneralia (Calendae Apriles - Calends of April) - A holiday is held on the Calends of April in honor of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.
 * 13: Idus Apriles - Ides of April
 * 28: Floralia - A holiday dedicated to Flora, the goddess of Spring and flowers.
 * 1: Calendae Maiae - Calends of May
 * 15: Mercuralia (Idus Maii - Ides of May) - A holiday falling on the Ides of May dedicated to Mercury, the god of commerce, trade, and speed.
 * 1: Calendae Juniae - Calends of June
 * 9: Vestalia - A holiday held in honor of Vesta, the goddess of the family and home.
 * 15: Idus Junii - Ides of June
 * 20: Rosalia - A festival dedicated to roses.
 * 1: Calendae Juliae
 * 15: Idus Julii
 * 23: Neptunalia - A festival dedicated to the god of water, Neptune, in the middle of the summer.
 * 1: Calendae Augustae - Calends of August 
 * 15: Nemoralia (Idus Augusti - Ides of August) - A festival falling on the Ides of August dedicated to Diana, the goddess of nature.
 * 23: Vulcanalia - A festival dedicated to Vulcan, the god of crafting.
 * 1: Calendae Septembres - Calends of September
 * 15: Idus Septembres - Ides of September
 * 1: Calendae Octobres - Calends of October
 * 15: Idus Octobres - Ides of October
 * 1: Calendae Novembres - Calends of November
 * 15: Idus Novembres - Ides of November
 * 1: Calendae Decembres - Calends of December
 * Idus Decembres - Ides of December
 * 17–23: Saturnalia - An observance held to honor Saturn, the god of time, who was welcomed in Rome by Janus after being overthrown by Jupiter. Saturnalia is both the most lively and observed holiday.

Language
Romans speak Latin, a language belonging to the Romance language family. The modern Latin language evolved directly from Classical Latin, and has since changed very little since then for several reasons. Throughout history, and espicially following the fall of the Roman Empire, literacy, even among the poor and lower class, was a sign of Romaness. This was in clear contrast with regions of Europe north of the Great Wall, where even the nobility and rulers lacked the ability to read or write up until the fourteenth century.

Naming
Roman names are quite unique, distinguishing the Romans from other people. Roman names consist of a combination three personal and family names, conventionally referred to as the tria nomina. In order, the first name of a Roman is their given name (praenomen). Most of the time, only family and close friends may call a Roman by their given name. The second name of a Roman is their clan name (nomen); Romans are only called this name by acquaintances or colleagues. The third name of a Roman is their family name (cognomen), which is only used during formalities. Few Romans have nicknames (agnomen), which are gained through personal achievements or distinct physical characteristics. In the case of adoption, a person's original nomen would become the basis of their new agnomen, formed by adding the suffix -anus or -inus to the stem.