Babylonian Calendar
Nisanu (the first month)
Aiaru (Procession month)
Simanu (Time of brickmaking)
Duzu (Month of Tammuz)
Abu (Moth of torches)
Ululu (Month of purification)
Tashritu (Month of beginnings)
Arahsamnu (Eighth month)
Kislimu
Tebetu (Month of violent rains)
Shabatu (Month of rain)
Addaru (Month of threshing)
Note: In post exilic books Babylonian names are employed for Jewish months.
The Babylonians
In ancient Babylon the study of science was very advanced, especially during Nebuchadnezzar’s time. Many priests became astronomers, scientists who observed and recorded the movements of the stars and planets. For centuries, the Babylonians had excelled in astronomy and mathematics. Early astronomers developed calendars based on the phases of the moon. At first their calendars were not synchronized with the movements of the sun. Later, by adding seven months every nineteen years, the astronomers created a more accurate calendar.
Another incredible scientific achievement was the division of the hour into 60 minutes. Our current use of an hour that is 60 minutes long originates with the Babylonians.
The Egyptians
As with the Babylonians, the Egyptians also invented a lunar calendar, but it was based on both the moon and a star. The Egyptians had observed the annual appearance of Sirius, the brightest star. They noticed that it was invisible for several months, but then it appeared each year just at the time of the flooding. Their calendar was more accurate than the Babylonian one, corresponding almost exactly with the seasons.
Macedonian Calendar
Dios
Apellaios
Audynaios
Peritios
Dystros
Xanthikos
Artemisios
Daisios
Panemos
Loos
Gorpiaios
Hyperberetaios
The Jewish Calendar in Ancient Hebrew History
