At least 5000 years ago and long before the advent of the Roman empire began to measure time.Introducing calendars to coordinate communal Activities to plan the shipment of goods and in particular to regulate plannting and harvesting.They based their calendars on three natural cycles.
First one the solar day second one is lunar month thired one is moon as it orbits the earth.
Before the invention of artificial light the moon had greater social impact.Those living near the equator in particular its waxing and wanning was more conspicuous than the passing of the seasons.Hence the calendards that were developed.