39 BC
Overview of the year 39 BC: calendar uncertainties, Roman political events (including the Treaty of Misenum and Octavian's marriage), dating conventions and historical significance.
39 BC is a year in the late Roman Republic notable for important political negotiations and for the ambiguity of its placement within the early Julian calendar. Contemporary Romans identified the year by the names of its consuls — conventionally "the Year of the Consulship of Censorinus and Sabinus" — while modern historians call it 39 BC using the Anno Domini system adopted in the medieval period.
Calendar and dating
The precise layout of 39 BC in the Julian calendar is uncertain because of early errors in leap year application after Julius Caesar's reform. Surviving reconstructions allow a few possibilities for the weekday on which the year began. Contemporary and modern reconstructions list it as a common year starting on:
Some tables also show it as a leap year beginning on Saturday, reflecting the confusion among Roman priests about inserting leap days. These possibilities all arise within reconstructions of the Julian calendar, the system introduced in 45 BC and used throughout the Roman world.
Political context and key events
The year falls in the era of the Second Triumvirate and continued civil realignment after Caesar's death. One widely noted diplomatic achievement of 39 BC was the Treaty of Misenum, an agreement that temporarily resolved conflicts between the triumvirs' forces and the naval power of Sextus Pompey. Around this time, Octavian consolidated alliances through marriage and political settlement, while Mark Antony focused on eastern affairs. These maneuvers shaped the balance of power that would lead to the final transformation of the Republic.
Naming, chronology and significance
Romans dated years by the names of the two serving consuls rather than by a numeric system; thus classical sources commonly refer to the year by consul names. The designation "39 BC" emerged only later when the Anno Domini era became standard in medieval chronology. The year illustrates both the political turbulence of the late Republic and the practical difficulties historians face when aligning ancient events with modern calendars.
Notable facts
- The Treaty of Misenum temporarily secured grain routes and recognition for powers at sea.
- Calendar reconstructions for this period must allow for early Julian leap-year errors.
- Primary records name the year by its consuls rather than by a numeric BC label.
Because documentation can be fragmentary, many details for specific months or days in 39 BC remain subject to scholarly reconstruction rather than direct contemporary record. For overviews and further reading, consult specialized works on the late Roman Republic and on the development of the Julian calendar.
Questions and answers
Q: What is the significance of the year 39 BC?
A: The year 39 BC was a year in the Julian calendar that either started on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, or was a leap year starting on Saturday.
Q: Was 39 BC a common year or a leap year?
A: It is not clear whether 39 BC was a common year or a leap year, but it could have been either.
Q: What is the Julian calendar?
A: The Julian calendar is a calendar system that was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC and was used in Western Europe until the Gregorian calendar replaced it in 1582.
Q: What is the Year of the Consulship of Censorinus and Sabinus?
A: The Year of the Consulship of Censorinus and Sabinus refers to the specific year in which these two individuals held the office of consul in ancient Rome.
Q: When did the Julian calendar come into existence?
A: The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC.
Q: When was the Gregorian calendar introduced?
A: The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582, replacing the Julian calendar as the standard calendar system in Western Europe.
Q: How long was the Julian calendar used for?
A: The Julian calendar was used in Western Europe for approximately 1,500 years, from its introduction in 45 BC until it was replaced by the Gregorian calendar in 1582.
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Author
AlegsaOnline.com 39 BC Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/112859