paperlined.org
academics > linguistics

document updated 16 years ago, on Jan 25, 2009

The calendar we now use is a modified version of the original Roman calendar, created 753 BC. (It was later updated to the Julian calendar (after Julius Caesar, in 45 BC), and then updated to the Gregorian calendar (after Pope Gregory XIII, in 1582 AD)) The etymology of each month name makes clear the thorough Roman influence.

January	Janus, the Roman god of the doorway
February	the Roman purification ritual Februa, which occured in the middle of this month
March	Mars, the Roman god of war
April	several different theories, it's unknown which is correct
May	Maia, a Greek goddess
June	Juno, a Roman goddess
July	Julius Caesar (born in this month)
August	Ceasar Augustus
September	Roman word for 'seven'
October	Roman word for 'eight'
November	Roman word for 'nine'
December	Roman word for 'ten'