Fascinating, thank you! Amazing how arbitrary these conventions are.
I loved the bit about Augustus stealing from February to make his August as long as Julius Cesear's July. Interesting also the two emperors took the hottest months for their namesakes.
Interesting to hear how this was largely handled by a priesthood. It brings to mind how in the Americas, the Mayan priesthood justified their power and privilege largely by keeping an accurate calendar. Similarly to in Egypt, it seems Mayan monuments were constructed to coincide with astronomical phenomenon, often acting as kinds of sundials or tools to help determine equinoxes and solstices. Not only does such suggest 'understanding of the will of the Gods' and a proper ordering of the Universe, accurate calendars are essential for directing agricultural practices. Before farmers almanacs and yearly planners, accurately keeping track of the date had a lot to do with whether there would be enough food to go around. And whether there was enough food around, was likely THE key factor in common sentiments of whether "the Gods are mad at us." So, in these early societies, keeping the dates are all tied up in leadership, spirituality a well as maintaining order and power
Fascinating, thank you! Amazing how arbitrary these conventions are.
I loved the bit about Augustus stealing from February to make his August as long as Julius Cesear's July. Interesting also the two emperors took the hottest months for their namesakes.
Interesting to hear how this was largely handled by a priesthood. It brings to mind how in the Americas, the Mayan priesthood justified their power and privilege largely by keeping an accurate calendar. Similarly to in Egypt, it seems Mayan monuments were constructed to coincide with astronomical phenomenon, often acting as kinds of sundials or tools to help determine equinoxes and solstices. Not only does such suggest 'understanding of the will of the Gods' and a proper ordering of the Universe, accurate calendars are essential for directing agricultural practices. Before farmers almanacs and yearly planners, accurately keeping track of the date had a lot to do with whether there would be enough food to go around. And whether there was enough food around, was likely THE key factor in common sentiments of whether "the Gods are mad at us." So, in these early societies, keeping the dates are all tied up in leadership, spirituality a well as maintaining order and power
Can’t say for sure why it was made, but Stonehenge is definitely not a portable timepiece.
I thought the Beatles invented the 8-day week! Kidding aside, wasn't that numbering due to Latin's "inclusive numbering" scheme?
Happy 2777th New Year! 753 BCE + 2024 CE = 2777 AUC.