1. Quid dies est?
What day is it?
Discover the days of the week in Latin

2. Passed down from the
Greeks to the Romans, the
days of the week in Latin
have been named after
gods and goddesses.
The word “day”, “dies” is
nominative and the name
of the god/dess is in the
genitive case.

3. Sunday = Dies Solis
Day of the Sun
The ancient Romans saw the sun as a
personification of a god. At the winter solstice
in December they celebrated the feast of “Sol
Invictus” (Unconquered Sun) which
represented the rebirth of the sun. In
mythology the sun is associated with the
Greek gods, Helios and Apollo.

4. Monday = Dies Lunae
Day of the Moon
The ancient Romans looked at the heavens
and saw the moon as an embodiment of the
goddess Selene or Diana. Poets and other
writers often personify the moon simply as
“Luna”.

5. Tuesday = Dies Martis
Day of Mars
Mars was the Roman god of war and
agriculture. Consider how war and agriculture
are related: when ancient people went to
war, often they fought over land. Also, as
tribal populations increased, people need
more land for farming.
His Greek name is Ares.

6. Wednesday = Dies Mercurii
Day of Mercury
Mercury was the messenger of the gods. He
is often represented with a caduceus, the staff
that has become the symbol of medicine. His
job was to deliver important messages to
various heroes on their journeys as well as
guide dead souls to the Underworld. He is
also known in mythology as a “trickster” who
plays pranks and practical jokes.
His Greek name is Hermes.

7. Thursday = Dies Jovis
Day of Jove
“By Jove, I think I’ve got it!” Sherlock Holmes
Jove is another name for Jupiter, the king of
gods and mortals who rules the heavens. His
brothers are Neptune, who rules the sea, and
Pluto who rules the Underworld.
His Greek name is Zeus.

8. Friday = Dies Veneris
Day of Venus
Venus is the goddess of love and beauty.
Currently, she has a razor named after her.
Her Greek name is Aphrodite, which means
born from sea foam. She is often depicted in
art wearing very little clothing and standing on
a sea shell.
Nota Bene: to pronounce “Veneris” say the “v”
with the sound of “w”

9. Saturday = Dies Saturni
Day of Saturn
Saturn’s Greek name is Kronos (Cronus).
Saturn was a Titan, one of the “old” gods, who
were eventually overthrown by the
Olympians, as the mythic stories go. Like
Mars, Saturn is a god of agriculture. He is also
the father of Jupiter.