What system of chronology existed in ancient Rome?

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What system of chronology existed in ancient Rome?Most long moment, as in the study of history teachers use modern calendar.But he did not immediately become what we know it.

Chronology Ancient Rome

Without clock and calendar life would be difficult.You can not plan for the long term, it is difficult to explain when there is an event.Therefore, the desire to somehow streamline the calendar is quite natural.Ancient Rome was developed tsilivizatsiey.That is why it is interesting, as the countdown was held at that time.So which system of chronology existed in ancient Rome?What it has undergone changes during its use?All this is very interesting.

In ancient times, people are not engaged in the organization of the calendar.They noted the change of time of day, seasons.It was seen cyclical event, and subsequently for the convenience of some use was a logical starting point, some significant developments.Correlating them subject, it was possible to navigate in time and make plans.The problem is that each nation have its own system of chronology.In ancient Rome, a starting point was taken as the base year alleged the same city.Naturally, the exact date caused much controversy that continues even now, but more or less accepted is considered 753 BC.By his calculation of a hand, astronomers who were able to set the date of the solar eclipse, which is supposed to be held on the birthday of the founder of the city - Romulus and Remus.

But that's not all, because this system was used only from 16 BC.e.Long before this era in ancient Rome was carried on the lists of consuls, that is the question of when he was born, a local resident said, for instance, that "in a year when the consuls were Lucius Cornelius and Claudius Cilnius Tzek Metellus."It was quite convenient because prebyvniya term in office just equal the desired length of time.That's what the system of chronology existed in ancient Rome.But it allows to be guided only by years, but what about the months, weeks, days, and so on. D.?

Calendar and countdown

In the most ancient system of the Romans were only 10 months, the beginning of the year is in March.But around the VII-VI century BC.e.It was borrowed calendar that has been divided into 12 parts.

Day divided into the familiar hours, but their duration was not constant.As the day and night, we were divided into 12 parts, regardless of their duration.For reference used sundial, and later borrowed in Greece water.

reforms and further use

Existed calendar was not accurate enough and the famous Julius Caesar spent reforms that introduced the concept of leap year and led the countdown to January instead of March as before.From that day I entered the office of the consuls and a new economic cycle.We were known as the Julian calendar for a long time it was used, including in Russia.

But the influence of the Romans in the ways the timing is not over.Even in the Middle Ages had once used as a benchmark Christmas, historians have often pointed out, the foundation of the "eternal city".That's what the system of chronology existed in ancient Rome, and what impact it had, even many years later.

Heritage in the modern world

Roman Empire disintegrated long ago, people only read about it in history books.But it is surprising how significant the knowledge that she stayed on and used to this day.

names of the months in Latin, now sound familiar to any European, since they remain virtually unchanged.Every day of the week in Rome was dedicated to some god Mercury, Saturn, Venus and others.Having undergone minor changes, their names were also in European languages.

By the way, the word "calendar" comes precisely from the Romans.Kalendarium was a review of the year, and even so-called special debt book.Interest on the loans had to be paid at the beginning of each month, with the result that it became a whole system.

Let the system experienced another radical reform, and now it is generally accepted the Gregorian calendar, but the legacy of the great era of the Romans
not forgotten.

Alternatives in modern

many calendars as the Roman, has long faded into history, replaced by a more or less general-purpose system.And what system existed and continues to be used, and whether there is such a general?Of course, although it is not universally accepted.For example, it is the Jewish calendar, according to which in 2014 corresponds to 5774-5775 years.The reference point is taken as the new moon is called the universe, that is the moment of creation.Also differently organized countdown.

underestimate the popularity of alternative systems should not, for example, the Hebrew calendar is the official in Israel, along with the usual Gregorian.