What calendar would Alexander have used?

[Kate]

Hi everybody,I'm new to Pothos, but I've been fascinated by Alexander the Great since I was a child: more years ago than I'm willing to admit in public! I'm also interested in details of everyday life in ancient Greece and I was wondering how Alexander would have measured time. I've been doing some research and I now know that although there were several calendars around then it seems that there was a general pattern of three ten-day weeks making up a 30-day month. (Imagine no weekends!) Plutarch says that Alexander was born in the "month of Hekatombaion which the Macedonians call Lous", but I can't find any information on what the rest of the months were known as in Macedon. Does anyone here know? Or have any information about the names for days of the week? Did they name them after the gods like the Romans?Cheers, Kate

[marcus]

Hi Kate,My initial thought was that he probably had the 2003 Kylie Minogue calendar... (or possibly Justin Timberlake)......but more seriously, you could try this link, and see if it helps at all: http://www.greenheart.com/billh/greek.htmlI remember that I got very confused when I was trying to work it out - everything, if I recall correctly, was based on months starting at full moons.That's your starter for 10, anyway. Sorry I can't give a fuller response but I'd have to go and consult books that I don't have with me at the moment. No doubt someone will be able to help more if that website doesn't enlighten you.All the bestMarcus

[agesilaos]

The Attic calender ran alternate months of 30 and 29 days running, Hekatombaion(July), Metageitnion, Boedromion, Pyanepsion, Maimakterion, Poseideon, Gamelion,Anthesterion,Elaphebolion, Mounychion, Thargelion and Skirophorion. Every eight years three extra thirty day months were ment to be inter-calated however this was not always done properly. Presumably the Macedonian calendar followed this pattern with different names for the months and their new year was October or Pyanepsion. Unfortunately I don't think all the months names have been preserved. The days of the week were not named until late antiquity, though I can't remember precisely when it may be a Diocletianic reform the calendar was a mess until the Divine Julius reformed it c45bc.

[Thalestris-Alexandros]

My, my, oh my, Master Marcus! Timberlake calendar? What ARE you implying of the Great one? . Alexander's tastes were exotic. ANYWAY, I recommend the book "Handbook To Life In Ancient Greece" by Lesley & Roy Adkins: lots of detailed information that will help you! Another resource is a gigantic sized book titled "Macedonia" and it is published by a Hellenic Association located in Manhattan (at this present moment I do not have the exact publishing info). Hope you find this helpful!Cheers!

[marcus]

Actually, and at the great risk of re-opening the rather dull "Gay or not" chestnut, it occurred to me afterwards that, as Kylie is such a gay icon, there was no need to suggest the Timberlake calendar anyway!Besides, whatever his leanings, I am sure that someone of Alexander's discernment would choose Kylie any time...Marcus
(getting rather hot under the collar)

[ruthaki]

Somewhere around here (in my archives) I seem to remember having a list of the dates on the Macedonian calander. If I excavate it, I will post it.