image by iam_os
I don’t often dedicate a blog, but this one is dedicated to Mr BB. Helping and educating others to see through the noise is the best gift a person can give. So here we go, what are “the ides” and why is it important?
The Ides of March is the 74th day in the Roman calendar, which corresponds to the 15th March. In 44 BC, it became notorious as the date Julius Caesar was assassinated.
Each day of a month from the first to the last day, was not numbered by the Romans, they counted back from three fixed points of the month:
the Nones (the 5th or 7th, nine days inclusive before the Ides)
the Ides (the 13th for most months, but the 15th in March, May, July, and October)
the Kalends (1st of the following month).
The Ides were originally determined by the full moon which reflected the lunar origins of the Roman calendar and the Ides of March would have been the first full moon of the new year.
It was marked by several celebrations but most notable for the Romans as a deadline for settling debts.
So just like we set the last Friday of every month to get paid, the Romans set the first full moon of the new year (15 March) as the day that all debts should be settled.
You may now ask why this is important, well the answer might surprise you. Since these cycles have remained with us over the times, they are part of our DNA, and before every repayment of debt, people will generally have to either use saving or sell assets to repay. So it is not surprising then that over these times, “the ides”, that there is normally above average market volatility and can often be pivotal times for assets to reverse trend.
Paying off debt and market pivots aside, most put off dealing with their savings and investments after “the ides”. With the “decks cleared” it might just be the best time to look at our new offering:
Just as the Ides of March became a turning point in Roman history, marking the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, make today a turning point in your financial future.
Feel free to send us an online enquiry if you want more information.
All circumstances are different, so individuals should always seek independent financial advice, please ensure you have read our disclosure.
