The sheer ego behind this name
Welcome to August, folks! That glorious month where the sun’s still blazing, vacations are in full swing, and everyone’s in a state of mild denial about summer ending. But have you ever stopped to think, “Why is this month called August?” Let’s dive into the history, the drama, and the sheer ego behind this name. Yeah! A huge ego for sure! Let’s find out why!
From Sextilis to August
Rebranding gone right: Let’s take a trip back in time—way back to ancient Rome. Originally, August was known as “Sextilis,” which sounds more like a character from a Roman soap opera than a month, but hey, it was the sixth month of the year before they messed with the calendar. Yes, you heard that right—sixth month.
You see, back in the day, the Roman calendar started in March, which made Sextilis, logically, the sixth month. Just read this article: New Years’ in March to better understand the Roman calendar.
Augustus: The Man Behind the Month
However, when Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 B.C. (because why wouldn’t a general and dictator dabble in timekeeping?), January and February were added to the beginning of the year. This shifted Sextilis to the eighth position, but the Romans, ever the sticklers for tradition, decided to keep the name. That is, until Emperor Augustus came along and shook things up.
Augustus, born Gaius Octavius, wasn’t just your average Roman ruler—he was Julius Caesar’s adopted son and the man who transformed the crumbling Roman Republic into the all-powerful Roman Empire.
After a series of wars, betrayals, and political maneuvers that make “Game of Thrones” look like child’s play, Augustus emerged as the unchallenged ruler of Rome. And what do you do when you’re the most powerful man in the known world? You make sure everyone remembers your name, of course!
Why August and Not Some Other Month?
Now, renaming a month after yourself isn’t something you do lightly. Augustus didn’t just throw a dart at a calendar and say, “Yep, that’s my month!” No, this was a calculated move. Augustus chose Sextilis for a couple of key reasons.
First, this was the month when he had some of his most significant victories. Remember the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.? Of course, you don’t, but it was a big deal back then—Augustus defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra, solidifying his power and bringing an end to years of civil war.
Sibling Rivalry: August vs. July
And then there’s the sibling rivalry. Julius Caesar had July (named after himself, naturally), so Augustus wasn’t about to let his adoptive father outshine him in the calendar game. He made sure his month had 31 days too. Why? Because in ancient Rome, the length of your month was a direct measure of your power. July had 31 days, so August had to have 31 days—anything less would be a sign of inferiority. And if there’s one thing Augustus didn’t do, it was inferiority.
The August That Keeps on Giving
Fast forward a couple of millennia, and August is still doing its thing, being the month where everything happens and nothing happens at the same time. August is like that friend who’s always down for a good time but doesn’t need the spotlight. It’s the month of barbecues, beach days, and that subtle panic that summer’s slipping away.
Picture this: The sun’s out, the ice cream’s melting faster than your resolve to stay in shape, and everyone’s pretending they don’t see the back-to-school ads creeping into stores. August is the month where we’re all in collective denial about the end of summer. It’s like the Sunday of months—a last hurrah before reality kicks in.
August Around the World!
Now, while we’re busy soaking up the sun, folks down in the Southern Hemisphere are bundling up for winter. That’s right—while we’re grilling burgers, they’re shivering through August like it’s an extra-long Monday.
In places like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, August is more about hot cocoa than cold lemonade. It’s a bit of a mind-bender, but it just goes to show that August has something for everyone—whether you’re sipping lemonade in the sun or huddled by the fire.
Europe in August: The Great Escape
But let’s talk about Europe for a minute. In many countries, August is when the whole continent just…shuts down. The French, for example, head to the coast, Italians flock to the countryside, and entire cities take a collective siesta. If you’ve ever tried to get something done in Europe in August, you know it’s like trying to find a snowman in the desert—good luck!
Take Paris in August: the streets are eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by the sound of your own footsteps echoing off the cobblestones. It’s a time when Parisians hand over their beloved city to tourists while they escape to the French Riviera.
In Italy, August 15th is celebrated as Ferragosto, a holiday that dates back to—you guessed it—Emperor Augustus, who established it as a time for rest and celebration after the harvest. Today, it’s an excuse for Italians to abandon their towns en masse and hit the beaches. So if you find yourself in Rome during August, don’t be surprised if it feels like a ghost town.
August and the Harvest: A Time for Reaping
August isn’t just about vacations and sunbathing, though. In ancient Rome, it was also a time of harvest, when farmers reaped the rewards of their hard work. The word “August” comes from the Latin “augustus,” meaning “consecrated” or “venerable.”
The name itself came to symbolize a period of abundance and reverence. For the Romans, it was a time to give thanks to the gods for their bounty and to prepare for the leaner months ahead. Just take for an example the other meaning provided by the Cambridge Dictionary for the word august besides the name of the month: having great importance and respect in society (adjective).
Modern Harvest Traditions
In many parts of the world, August still holds this agricultural significance. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s a time when farmers harvest wheat, corn, and other crops, filling barns and silos in preparation for winter. Even today, the rhythms of rural life often revolve around the cycles of planting and harvesting, with August playing a central role in this age-old dance.
August: The Legacy That Sticks
So, what’s the takeaway here? Besides the fact that Augustus had an ego the size of the Roman Empire, August is a month that has survived centuries of change, carrying the weight of history and the lightness of summer fun. It’s a time to reflect on the past, bask in the present, and maybe, just maybe, plan for the future—if you can tear yourself away from the beach, that is.
August might have started as a tribute to a Roman emperor’s greatness, but it’s evolved into something much more. It’s a month where memories are made, whether you’re conquering a barbecue or just conquering your fear of summer ending. So, here’s to August—long may it reign, and long may we enjoy it, one sunny day at a time.
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