August in the Julian Calendar
In 46 BC. Julius Cesar instaured a 365-day solar calendar (plus a 366 every four years). Our modern western calendar is based upon it.
![mosaic of the seasons, El Djem](https://mosaic-blues.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-seasons-and-the-Month-_-Mosaic_-El-Djem-Tunisia-198x300.jpg)
AUGUST
Before the adoption of the Julian calendar, August was the sixth month of the year and for this reason had the name of sextus (“sixth” in Latin). In 8 BC, the Romans renamed him Augustus to pay homage to the 1st Emperor Augustus.
![Bust of Emperor August, Glyptothek, Munich, Germany](https://mosaic-blues.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Augustus_Bevilacqua_Glyptothek_Munich_800px-208x300.jpg)
The month of August included a number of rural festivals, including:
- Vinalia rustica (August 19), which inaugurated the harvest,
- Consualia (August 21), in honor of the ancient Roman country god Consus, protector of agriculture,
- Volcanalia (August 23), or festival of Vulcan, god of fire and volcanoes. She was standing at the time of harvest, to ward off fires,
- Opalia (August 25), given as a tribute to Ops, goddess of abundance and wife of Saturn. She celebrated the harvest.
- Volturnalia (August 27), propitiatory ritual rendered to Vulturnus, god of the east wind, hot and humid, to spare fruit crops.
![](https://mosaic-blues.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/08_Sousse_mosaic_calendar_August_Aout_Augustas_Sextilis_800px-300x225.jpg)
Diana, goddess of hunting, illustrates the month of August, during which she is celebrated (13th). She is represented with the attributes of her Greek counterpart Artemis :
- Her hunting weapons : a gold bow and silver arrows
- Her animals : a dog and a deer.
![](https://mosaic-blues.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Diana-Crescent-moon-300x300.jpg)
Twin sister of Apollo, god of music and the Sun, Diane is associated with the Moon and, for this reason, is often depicted with a crescent moon on her head.