Naming June: Cult, Intertextual Competition and Augustan Politics in Ovid's <em>Fasti</em> 6

Abstract

The sixth and final book of Ovid’s Fasti begins with an argument over the origin of the name of June. Three goddesses—Juno, Juventas and Concordia—claim to be the source of the name. The whole competition is framed as a repeat of the judgment of Paris, and Ovid finally declines to make a choice. The result of the original judgment of Paris is the Trojan War, a legend inextricably connected to the narrative of Rome’s own foundation. Thus all three claimants for the name rely on the narrative of history brought about—in poetic terms—by the fall of Troy. In refusing to pass judgment, Ovid prevents a second Trojan War and does not take the decisive step that authorizes any of the contending narratives and brings about Augustan Rome. In refusing to settle the origin of June’s name, Ovid stops the calendar from moving on to July and August, the months named for the founders of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Thus, Ovid ends his calendar by calling into question the Augustan future, one that had not yet been written.