Il tramonto dell'Acquario. Nota esegetica a Verg. georg. 3, 303-304 (e a Hor. sat. 1, 1, 36)

The astronomical periphrasis cum frigidus olim / iam cadit extremoque inrorat Aquarius anno in Verg. georg. 3, 303-304 does not indicate, as almost all scholars maintain, the exit of the Sun from the sign of Aquarius, in mid February, but a different astronomical phenomenon, the so-called evening setting of the constellation, which took place in the last days of December, right at the end of the civil year and at the beginning of the winter season. The same phenomenon is alluded to also in Hor. sat. 1, 1, 36