Many months of the year have Roman origins for their names, like August (after Augustus Caesar) and October (after Octavius). Did you know that January has Roman origins as well? January was named for the Roman god, Janus, who had two heads-- one that faced forward and the other which faced backward. It seems very fitting for the first month of the year, to reflect on the year that has past and to look forward to what the new year might bring.
But actually (?!), March was originally the first month of the year, because this was the time when planting began and it was time to go to war (March being named after Mars, the god of war). So why did it change? The Romans decided that instead of inaugerating their new consuls in the busy month of March, why not the boring, uneventful month of January? So there you have it, another way the Romans shook things up that still prevails in Western society today.
(Source: http://ngm.typepad.com/pop_omnivore/2009/01/how-january-wen.html)
2 comments:
I'm pretty sure October was not named after Octavius, but from octo- "eight". Notice the pattern amongst neighboring months: September (seven), November (nine), December (ten). It also reinforces your thesis, perhaps, since September is actually the ninth month in our year, but would be seventh if the year started in March.
Also, naming a month after Octavius in general doesn't make much sense, since that was the pre-exalted version of Augustus. Like calling a holiday Jesus-mas? It's not really emphasizing the right (that is, divine) aspect of the person.
All in the interest of starting the year off right, of course ;)
Ok, Ian, you are correct-- Wikipedia has confirmed your "oct-eight" theory. At least it's still Latin!
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