Legal Definitions - ides

The term Ides refers to a specific day in the ancient Roman calendar, marking the middle of the month. This day held significance for various religious observances, political events, and financial transactions.

• For the months of March, May, July, and October, the Ides fell on the 15th day.
• For all other months, the Ides occurred on the 13th day.

Historically, the Ides was calculated as the ninth day after the Nones, with the Nones itself being counted as the first day in that sequence.

Here are some examples illustrating how this term might be encountered:

• Example 1: Historical Legal Document
  Imagine a Roman will from the 1st century BCE that stipulates, "My estate shall be divided among my heirs on the Ides of March."

  Explanation: In this context, the Ides of March would precisely indicate March 15th as the designated date for the legal action of distributing the inheritance, demonstrating its use as a specific calendar reference in legal instruments.

• Example 2: Ancient Commercial Agreement
  A contract between two Roman merchants might include a clause stating, "Payment for the shipment of grain is due no later than the Ides of April."

  Explanation: Here, the Ides of April sets a clear deadline for a financial obligation. Since April is not one of the months where the Ides falls on the 15th, this would mean payment is due by April 13th, illustrating how the term defined a specific due date in commercial law.

• Example 3: Judicial Proclamation
  A historical account might describe a Roman magistrate issuing a public decree, announcing that "all citizens must register their property by the Ides of November."

  Explanation: This example shows the Ides being used to establish a deadline for a civic or administrative requirement. The Ides of November would correspond to November 13th, serving as a fixed date for compliance with a judicial or governmental order.