The Roman Roots of Our Month Names
It's a question that might pop into your head as the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air: Why is September named after 7? It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? We're used to thinking of September as the ninth month of the year. The answer, like so many things in our modern lives, can be traced back to ancient Rome and their unique way of organizing time.
The naming of September, along with several other months, isn't a coincidence based on the numerical order we follow today. Instead, it stems from the original Roman calendar, which was quite different from the one we use now.
The Original Roman Calendar: A Different Starting Point
The early Roman calendar, attributed to Romulus (the legendary founder of Rome) around the 8th century BCE, was a lunar-based system. This calendar began in March, not January. It consisted of only 10 months, and the months were:
- Martius (March)
- Aprilis (April)
- Maius (May)
- Junius (June)
- Quintilis (later July)
- Sextilis (later August)
- September
- October
- November
- December
See where we're going with this? In this original 10-month system, September was indeed the seventh month. The names of the later months were also quite literal:
- September = "seventh month" (from the Latin word septem, meaning "seven")
- October = "eighth month" (from the Latin word octo, meaning "eight")
- November = "ninth month" (from the Latin word novem, meaning "nine")
- December = "tenth month" (from the Latin word decem, meaning "ten")
So, when you're asking "Why is September named after 7?", the answer is simply because, in the very first version of the Roman calendar, it *was* the seventh month.
The Evolution of the Calendar: Adding January and February
As Roman society evolved and their understanding of astronomy grew, they realized their 10-month calendar was too short and didn't align well with the solar year. To rectify this, King Numa Pompilius, Romulus's successor, is credited with adding two months to the beginning of the year: January and February. This significantly altered the numerical order of the months as we know them today.
When January and February were added, the calendar was adjusted to:
- January
- February
- Martius (March)
- Aprilis (April)
- Maius (May)
- Junius (June)
- Quintilis (July)
- Sextilis (August)
- September
- October
- November
- December
With these additions, September, which was once the seventh month, became the ninth month. However, the names of the months were not changed to reflect their new numerical positions. They retained their original Latin names, which is why we still call the ninth month "September," meaning "seventh," and the tenth month "October," meaning "eighth," and so on.
Further Revisions and the Julian Calendar
The calendar continued to undergo further reforms. Notably, Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 45 BCE, which more closely resembled our modern solar calendar with 365 days and a leap year every four years. It was during this period that the names of two months were changed to honor important figures:
- Quintilis was renamed July in honor of Julius Caesar.
- Sextilis was renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus.
These changes solidified the order of the months and the names we use today, but they didn't retroactively rename September to "Ninth" or October to "Tenth." The historical nomenclature stuck.
The persistence of these ancient names is a fascinating reminder of how history, language, and our understanding of the world are woven together. Even though September is now the ninth month, its name echoes back to a time when the Roman year began in March and September held the seventh spot.
In Summary: Why is September Named After 7?
The simple answer to "Why is September named after 7?" is that the name originates from the original Roman calendar, where September was the seventh month. When the calendar was later expanded and reformed, the names of the months were not updated to reflect their new numerical positions.
So, the next time you're enjoying the flavors of autumn in September, you can appreciate the ancient Roman connection embedded in its name, a direct link to a time when the calendar looked very different!
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Romans decide on March as the start of their year?
The Roman calendar's start in March is believed to be tied to the arrival of spring and the beginning of the military campaigning season. March was also considered the month of Mars, the Roman god of war, making it a significant and symbolic starting point for their year.
Why weren't the month names changed when the calendar was reformed?
Tradition played a significant role. Once the names were established and deeply ingrained in Roman culture and language, it was likely easier and more practical to keep them, even if they no longer literally reflected the month's numerical position. The historical significance of the original names also contributed to their retention.
Are there any other languages where month names are still numerical?
While many European languages have adopted names derived from Latin (like English), some Slavic languages have retained names that are descriptive of the seasons or natural phenomena rather than strictly numerical. However, the direct numerical naming convention of September, October, November, and December is a distinctly Roman legacy.
