Why we make New Year’s resolutions
It turns out there's yet another thing we got from the Romans…
Ali Roff Farrar
Whether you are vowing to eat less chocolate or be happier, it seems the tradition of New Year’s resolutions has been around for a while, with New Year promises originating from our Roman ancestors, according to a Royal Holloway University of London study called Ancient traditions.
Janus, the two-faced god of new beginnings who looked both to the past and to the future, was celebrated on 1 January, the day when Roman officials swore loyalty to the emperor.
People reflected on the year past and to come, gave each other gifts, and blessings for the new year were exchanged.
Photograph: iStock
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