Nivôse

More about Nivôse

Nivôse was the name given to the fourth 30-day month of the French Republican Calendar. It corresponds with the period from roughly December 23rd to January 23rd. The name is derived from the French word for "snowy" (itself a derivative of neige, or snow). Nivôse is preceded by Frimaire, the name of which, somewhat confusingly, is derived from the word for frost. Nivôse is, in turn, the first month of the winter quarter, followed by Pluviôse (derived from pluie, or rain) and Ventôse (named after vent, or wind). As I already went with a more bucolic winter scene with Frimaire, I decided to distinguish Nivôse by aiming for a more threatening and inhospitable scene. What could be more threatening than a depiction of Hannibal's invasion of Italy by way of the French Alps--one of the most dramatic scenes in all European history? The Carthaginians are said to have lost half their men and animals along the march. Exposure, disease,u blizzard, avalanche and rockfall, not to mention hidden pitfalls like thousand foot crevasses and bands of hostile Gallic tribesmen guarding their turf, or seeking to curry favor with Rome. As Hannibal led his men up the last rise before reaching the Po Valley, he's said to have exclaimed they were "atop the very walls of Rome itself."