Teaching students about the ancient Roman calendar is a critical aspect of any history lesson as it helps learners understand how people of the time organized their days, weeks, months, and years. The Roman calendar is perhaps one of the most significant contributions of ancient Rome to the world, and it is a testament to the sophistication and precision of their culture. Therefore, it is important for educators to give learners a glimpse of how this calendar worked and how it was significant in the lives of the Romans.
The ancient Roman calendar, unlike the Gregorian calendar widely used today, consisted of ten months, beginning with March and ending with December. The calendar was lunar-dominated, with most of the months having fewer than thirty days and having a lunar-religious origin. March, May, July, and October were 31 days, while the other months had either 30 or 29 days. February was the shortest month and only had 28 days; however, it was considered the last month of the year.
In addition to the ten month calendar, the Romans also had a system of intercalation, which involved adding an extra “intercalary month” of 27 or 28 days every two years to synchronize the lunar and solar calendars and correct the inaccuracies that arose from the lunar dominance of the calendar. This system was not fixed and was subject to manipulation by political and powerful elites to extend or shorten political terms, making the calendar a political tool.
Teaching students about the Roman calendar requires educators to use various teaching methods that cater to different learner styles. The use of visuals, such as diagrams and charts, can help clarify complex concepts of the lunar and intercalary months. Educators can also use mnemonic devices to help learners remember the names of the months, such as “MAMA” for March, April, May, and June. In addition, creating activities whereby learners create their Roman calendar by symbols and designs that reflect Roman culture helps foster creativity, critical thinking, and research skills.
Furthermore, teachers can emphasize the influence of the ancient Roman calendar on modern-day celebrations and observances. For example, the names of the months of July and August originated from the names of two Roman emperors, Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar, respectively. This approach helps learners understand the relevance of historical events and cultural practices to contemporary society.
In conclusion, teaching students about the ancient Roman calendar is essential in understanding the importance of calendar systems in shaping human societies and cultures. Educators can use different methods to make the concept easy to comprehend and relatable to learners. Overall, the Roman calendar embodies the intellectual and technical achievements of ancient Rome, and its study is integral to understanding human civilization as a whole.
