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Babylonian Calendar




The names of the months were:

  • Nisanu

  • Ayaru

  • Simanu

  • Du`uzu

  • Abu

  • Ululu

  • Tashritu

  • Arakhsamna

  • Kislimu

  • Tebetu

  • Shabatu

  • Adaru


Until the Fifth Century BC the calendar was fully observational, but beginning about 499 BC the months began to be regulated by a Lunisolar cycle of 19 years equaling 235 months. Although usually called the Metonic Cycle , Meton ( 432 BC ) probably learned of the cycle from the Babylonians. After no more than three isolated exceptions, by 380 BC the months of the calendar were regulated by the cycle without exception. Within the cycle of 19 years, the month Adaru 2 was intercalated, except in the year that was number 17 in the cycle, when the month '''Ululu 2''' was inserted. During this period, the first day of each month (beginning at sunset) continued to be the day when a new crescent moon was first sighted—the calendar never used a specified number of days in any month.


SEE ALSO



REFERENCE

  • Parker, Richard A. and Waldo H. Dubberstein. ''Babylonian Chronology 626 B.C.-A.D. 75''. Providence, RI: Brown University Press, 1956.