what is the origin of the months of the year?
This same site gives the origins of the months.
http://www.crowl.org/Lawrence/time/months.html
January
Named after the Roman god of beginnings and endings Janus (the month Januarius).
February
The name comes either from the old-Italian god Februus or else from februa, signifying the festivals of purification celebrated in Rome during this month.
March
This is the first month of the Roman year. It is named after the Roman god of war, Mars.
April
Called Aprilis, from aperire, "to open". Possible because it is the month in which the buds begin to open.
May
The third month of the Roman calendar. The name probably comes from Maiesta, the Roman goddess of honor and reverence.
June
The fourth month was named in honor of Juno. However, the name might also come from iuniores (young men; juniors) as opposed to maiores (grown men; majors) for May, the two months being dedicated to young and old men.
July
It was the month in which Julius Caesar was born, and named Julius in his honor in 44 BCE, the year of his assassination. Also called Quintilis (fifth month).
August
Originally this month was called Sextilis (from sextus, "six"), but the name was later changed in honor of the first of the Roman emperors, Augustus (because several fortunate events of his life occurred during this month).
September
The name comes from septem, "seven".
October
The name comes from octo, "eight"
November
The name comes from novem, "nine".
December
The name comes from decem, "ten".
The origin of the months of the year can be traced back to ancient civilizations and their observations of celestial events, such as the cycles of the moon or the movements of the sun. Here's how you can learn more about it:
1. Study ancient calendars: Various ancient civilizations created calendars that influenced the months we use today. For example, the ancient Roman calendar had ten months, starting with March and ending with December. The addition of January and February occurred later.
2. Explore the Roman influence: The Roman calendar served as the basis for the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used around the world today. Research the reforms made by Julius Caesar and Augustus to understand how the months were organized and named in ancient Rome.
3. Discover other cultural influences: Different cultures have their own unique ways of measuring time. For example, the ancient Egyptians used their calendar based on the Nile River's floods, while the Chinese calendar follows both lunar and solar cycles. Exploring these cultural calendars can offer further insights into the origin of months.
4. Consult historical texts and documents: Look for primary sources, such as ancient texts, historical records, and inscriptions, that mention the months of the year. For instance, the Roman poet Ovid's "Fasti" provides information on the Roman calendar and the related customs and festivals of each month.
By researching these sources and considering the historical context, you can gain a deeper understanding of the origin and evolution of the months of the year.