Why Is October the 10th Month Yet Its Name Means 8?

The month of October is a prime example of historical and linguistic oddities that make even seasoned mathematicians and historians scratch their heads. If 'octo' means '8,' how come October is the 10th month of the year? This question has puzzled many and calls for an exploration into the origins of the names of our months and the evolution of the Roman calendar.

The Intriguing Name Origin

The root of the word "October" traces back to Latin, origins from which many of today's month names derive. The word "Octo," meaning 'eight,' might suggest that October is the eighth month, but today, it is the 10th month in our current calendar system. This discrepancy can be attributed to a complex historical shift in the Roman calendar.

Early Rome and the Julian Calendar

During the time of Julius Caesar, the calendar functioned quite differently than it does now. The first month of the year was March, named after Mars, the god of war. This initial month marked the beginning of the agricultural and military season in the Northern Hemisphere. The Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, simplified the former Roman calendar and shifted the start of the year to January, a month named after the Roman god Janus, god of beginnings and transitions.

Before the change, the winter months were generally referred to simply as "winter" and started from March. The months of July (Quintilis) and August (Sextilis) were named after the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Augustus, respectively. In 8 BCE, during the reign of Augustus, these months were renamed to their current forms to avoid confusion. Here's the original order and names of the months (besides July and August) before the changes:

March (March) April (Aprilis) Maius (May) June (Quintilis) Quintilis (July) Sextilis (August) September (September) October (October) November (November) December (December)

During the First Punic War, Rome shifted the start of the year to January to ensure that consuls, who were in charge of military campaigns, entered their office earlier and could lead the troops in the spring. This change is attributed to the Lusitanian revolt in modern-day Portugal, where winter could last longer than necessary, hampering military operations.

The Lusitanian Revolt and Calendar Adjustments

The Lusitanians, a tribe in modern-day Portugal, revolted against Roman rule, leading to a temporary delay in military campaigns. To counter this issue, Rome decided to add two new months, January and February, before March, effectively shifting the calendar. This adjustment caused the months that followed to increase their "numbers" by two, thus making October the 10th month today.

Here's why the months shifted their names: March (March) April (April) May (Maius) June (Quintilis) - Later renamed to July Quintilis (August) - Later renamed to August) Sextilis (September) - Later renamed to September September (October) October (November) November (December) December (December)

The month names shifted accordingly, and October remained the 10th month, regretting the original meaning of '8' but not the historical significance of the month itself.

Conclusion

The question of why October is the 10th month despite its name meaning '8' is a fascinating journey through Roman history and calendar evolution. From the Lusitanian revolt to the Julian reforms, the changing of the year's starting point, and the subsequent month name adjustments, these events have influenced our current understanding of the months of the year. Understanding this history can provide insight into the linguistic and historical intricacies that shape our modern world.