GREEK CALENDAR Meaning and
Definition
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The Greek calendar refers to the system of timekeeping and organizing festivals and events used by the ancient Greeks. It was primarily based on the lunar cycle, where each month corresponded roughly to one lunar cycle or the time it takes for the Moon to complete its orbit around the Earth. The calendar provided a framework for the Greeks to plan their religious and civic activities, including the scheduling of festivals, holidays, and agricultural events.
The Greek calendar consisted of twelve months known as "moonths," or lunar months. Each month typically began with the sighting of a new moon and lasted approximately 29.5 days. However, since a lunar month is slightly shorter than a solar month, the Greeks periodically added intercalary months to keep the calendar synchronized with the solar year. This additional month, known as "Embolimos," ensured that the festivals and agricultural activities aligned with the appropriate seasons.
In addition to the lunar months, the Greek calendar also included a complex system of cycles, which regulated the observance of various religious festivals and events. One such cycle was the "Olympiad," a four-year period used to track time between each Olympic Games. The Greeks also incorporated religious observances, such as those related to the twelve major gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. These religious festivals ensured the proper worship of the gods and allowed for communal celebrations and gatherings.
Although the Greek calendar varied between city-states and regions, its fundamental use as a lunar-based system with intercalary adjustments remained constant. The many cultural and religious practices associated with the Greek calendar played a vital role in shaping the ancient Greek society and maintaining a sense of collective identity.
Common Misspellings for GREEK CALENDAR
- freek calendar
- vreek calendar
- breek calendar
- hreek calendar
- yreek calendar
- treek calendar
- geeek calendar
- gdeek calendar
- gfeek calendar
- gteek calendar
- g5eek calendar
- g4eek calendar
- grwek calendar
- grsek calendar
- grdek calendar
- grrek calendar
- gr4ek calendar
- gr3ek calendar
- grewk calendar
- gresk calendar
Etymology of GREEK CALENDAR
The etymology of the term "Greek calendar" lies in the fact that it refers to the calendar systems used by the Ancient Greeks.
The word "Greek" comes from the Latin word "Graecus", which itself derived from the Greek word "Graïkos" or "Graeci". The Greeks referred to themselves as "Hellenes" rather than "Greeks", but the term "Greek" has been widely adopted in English to refer to anything related to Greece and its culture.
The calendar used in Ancient Greece was primarily based on the lunar cycle, with some modifications. It consisted of several calendar systems, including the Attic calendar, which was used in Athens, and the Macedonian calendar, used in Macedonia. These calendars had different structures but were all based on the lunar month.
