![“To Concordia,¹ the Sixth Legion, Victorious, Loyal and Faithful and the Twentieth Legion [dedicates this].” found at Roman Corbridge (Coriosopitum)](https://chr.org.uk/anddidthosefeet/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/To-Concordia¹-the-Sixth-Legion-Victorious-Loyal-and-Faithful-and-the-Twentieth-Legion-dedicates-this..png)
Concordia on the Day of Peace
Today, doesn’t seem a great day for peace. But, Concordia was the Roman goddess of conciliation and harmony. The 17th January is also the Day of Peace for the Goddesses Felicitas, and Pax. So, let’s hope the Roman Goddesses can dispense some peaceful balm and wisdom on our leaders.
There are altars to Concordia in Britain at Corbridge and Carlisle on the Roman Frontier. The Gods of Roman Britain points out that the altars are found where there were:
‘detachments of troops from more than one Roman legion posted in the same place’.
Does this suggest that the soldiers needed to be reminded that they should not fight each other?
The altar stone pictured above is dedicated to the VI Legion and the Twentieth. The Twentieth, called Valeria Victrix, was stationed in Deva – Chester. But there are stones such as the one above which shows a detachment (or vexillation) was sent to Hadrian’s Wall. For more on the stone and Corbridge see this site. The VIth Victrix legion served on Hadrian’s Wall and their HQ was at Eboracum (York).
Ovid & Concordia
The Roman Poet, Ovid seemingly locates the Day of Peace on the 16th January. But for the 16th he writes: ‘Radiant One, the next day places you in your snow-white shrine’. The Goddess Book of Days puts her on the 17th. So, perhaps, I’m right placing her on the 17th, afterall?
The translator of Ovid’s almanac poem, the Fasti, A. S. Kline, explains that the Goddess Concordia:
‘symbolised the harmonious union of citizens. A temple was erected to her in 367BC (on the Capitol, near the temple of Juno Moneta) It was erected by Marcus Furius Camillus at the time when the plebeians won political equality. The Temple of Concord was restored by the Emperor Tiberius from his German spoils in AD10.
This is how Ovid puts it:
The Fasti, by Ovid
Book I: January 16
Radiant one, the next day places you in your snow-white
shrine,
Near where lofty Moneta lifts her noble stairway:
Concord, you will gaze on the Latin crowd’s prosperity,
Now sacred hands have established you.
Camillus, conqueror of the Etruscan people,
Vowed your ancient temple and kept his vow.
His reason was that the commoners had armed themselves,
Seceding from the nobles, and Rome feared their power.
This latest reason was a better one: revered Leader,
Germany
Offered up her dishevelled tresses, at your command:
From that, you dedicated the spoils of a defeated race,
And built a shrine to the goddess that you yourself
worship.
A goddess your mother honoured by her life, and by an
altar,
She alone worthy to share great Jupiter’s couch.
Book I: January 17
When this day is over, Phoebus, you will leave Capricorn,
And take your course through the sign of the WaterBearer.
Camillus was a semi-legendary military leader who is said to have built the Temple to Concordia in 367BC. The Temple was rebuilt several times. In 121 BC is was rebuilt at a larger size. Thereafter, the Senate would meet there during and after political conflict. Ovid’s revered Leader above is Tiberius, and his mother is Livia, the wife of Augustus. Tiberius filled the Temple full of art treasures. So, it became a museum and a tourist attraction for visitors to Rome. For more on Concordia and Pax look at my post here. For more Ovid, read my post here.
On This Day!
1752 – Today is also Twelfth Night Old style which is the date of the celebration of the last night of Christmas according to Julian Calendar which was replaced by the Gregorian in 1752. So Old Style time to Wassail the Orchard! Wassails are currently being held in various places in London. See here for the Bermondsey Wassail. See below for more details.
1773 – Captain Cook captained the first Ship (the Resolution) to cross the Antarctic Circle
1917 – The United States pays Denmark $25 million for the Virgin Island
Today is St Antony’s Day – father of Monasticism, curer of St Antony’s Fire, patron Saint of domestic animals, especially pigs. The runt of a litter is a ‘tantony pig’ and the smallest bell in a chime is a ‘tantony bell’. His symbols are pigs and bells.
Wassail Day at the Village Orchard Dulwich
Run by the London Wild Life Trust. The web site says:
Celebrate Wassail Day with us on Saturday
London Wildlife Trust welcomes the local community to awaken the apple trees to ensure a good harvest of fruit in autumn in a traditional Wassailing event.
Activities on the day will include apple inspired crafts, bird feeders, warming bread on the fire (weather permitting), pinning toast to trees (this apparently helps with a good harvest!) and more!
First written in Jan 2023, revised and republished in Jan 2024,2025,2026
