and "oct" is 8, yet October is the tenth month
and "nona" is 9, yet November is eleventh
and "deca" is 10, yet December is twelfth
who did this to us?
2006-08-11 02:43:52 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Your Latin roots are correct. That is where the answer to your query lies. Not in the Latin language but in its leaders. Julius Caesar convinced that he could modify and improve the 10 month calendar of the time, did so by adding another month. The month was of course named after himself...July.It was placed in the best part of the year,,,Summer. Later, his successor, nephew, convinced that he was at least as good as Julius, did the same and called his month August. Thereafter the number system of the following months was faulty.
2006-08-11 02:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by tichur 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
In the ancient Roman calendar, there were ten months, running from March to December, so originally September was the 7th month. An ancient king of Rome (before the Republic) added a couple of months, January and February, to the end of the calendar for "tax reasons". After the revolt on 509 B.C. that established the Republic, the two Consuls that were selected for a year started their term in January, and that's how years were referred to (e.g. in the year were Maxius and Minimus were Consuls [just made that up]). So, you can blame the Roman Republicans. :-)
By the way, July and August were originally based on the numbers 5 and 6, but it was the egos of Julius Caesar and Augustus that changed their names.
2006-08-11 12:55:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically the Celtic Calendar had 13 months while the Roman Calendar had only ten originally. I would rather go with the Celtic Calendar. Cause November would be the New Year.
2006-08-11 11:52:22 · answer #3 · answered by West Coast Nomad 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Originally the calendar had 10 months, but July and August were added to honor Roman emperors-- July and August.
2006-08-11 10:13:22 · answer #4 · answered by MTSU history student 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because originally it was the seventh month until the Romans inserted July and August in honor of Julius Cesar and Augustus.
2006-08-11 10:34:10 · answer #5 · answered by cj 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Roman Calendar year originally started in March -- March was the first month.
2006-08-11 10:47:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
July and August were added in roman times
July for Julius Caesar and August for Augustus Caesar
2006-08-11 10:17:15 · answer #7 · answered by Michael B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because some doofus had the bright idea to add on a couple months back in the days before accuracy made any difference. Why do you think they made things that didn't last?
2006-08-11 10:03:03 · answer #8 · answered by somber_pieces 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Juy and August were added to honor Julius Caeser and Augustus Caeser.
2006-08-11 09:49:37 · answer #9 · answered by ratboy 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
because originally there were only 10 months on the latin calendar....over years...2 were added....I dont remember which...I think july and august.
2006-08-11 09:48:58 · answer #10 · answered by Bryan D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋