Ancient Shapes

 

 

 The Roman Calendar as it is today

Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March in the year when Caesar was consul for the fifth time.  The Ides of March is reconised as being on the 15th march. 44 BC. The Roman calendar at the time of Caesar had 12 months.

 

Our calendar months

The ancient Roman calendar from 2,000 years ago. began  in March, not January.

THE MEANING OF THE MONTHS ARE AS FOLLOWS

The month September is named after the Latin (Roman) word for seven — septem — since September is the seventh month of the year. Following are October (octo is Latin for eight), November (novem is Latin for nine) and December (decem is Latin for 10).

The ancient Romans also named months as a tribute to their gods —

Janus, the god of beginnings for January; Mars, the god of war, for March; Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty for April; Maia, the goddess of growth for May; and Juno, queen  of the gods for June. July is named after ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar; and August is named to honor another great emperor Augustus.

The Romans had an eight-day week seven days to work, an eighth for the Market Day.   The country people came to town, and there were many festivities.