The History of August
The History of August
Ancient Greek Word of the Week: Αὐτόµατον
Dear Classical Wisdom Kids,
As regular readers may recall, Eugenia Manolidou, the famed director of Elliniki Agogi and author of our weekly “Ancient Greek Words of the Week” is taking a Παῦσις (pron. páf-sis, meaning pause).
It’s August in Europe and so it’s actually traditional to take the month off. Do you know why? It’s a custom that began in ancient Rome!
The month was originally named Sextilis in Latin because it was the 6th month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus in 753 BC, with March being the first month of the year. About 700 BC, it became the eighth month when January and February were added to the year before March by King Numa Pompilius, who also gave it 29 days.
Then in 8 BC, the month was renamed in honor of Emperor Augustus, the first Roman emperor and founder of the Roman Empire. He wanted everyone to really enjoy his month, so he started a big holiday called the Feriae Augusti, or the festival of Emperor Augustus.
Also, August is always a slow month for getting things done, as it’s so very hot! Not much happened anyways, but this way all the people would like Augustus and associate the hot month of August as fun.
Now that you know the history of August, you can review some of your ancient Greek Words - it’s one you’ll automatically enjoy!
All the best,
Anya Leonard
Founder and Director
Classical Wisdom
P.S. Check out the activities below... We have printables, crafts, games and more! Let us know which are your favorite. Members can enjoy FULL access to all these resources. If you aren’t a member yet, join our Kids CLUB and up your level of the Classics.
Greeking Out On Automagic
By Eugenia Manolidou, Elliniki Agogi
Αὐτόµατον: Automaton
In the labyrinth of the Greek language, there exists a powerful, almost magical word that has woven its way into countless languages and cultures... and it’s not one you might have ‘automatically’ known is Greek!
It is the word «Aὐτόµατον» (automaton), pronounced in Greek as “aftómaton,”but it also goes by the nickname “auto”.
Despite its simplicity, this little word holds the key to understanding machines and ideas that shape our modern world.
It is an ancient word found in the works of the poets Hesiod and Homer and it serves as the base for so many concepts that have changed the way we look and interact with our surroundings. Let's see a few!
The most immediate word that comes to mind is of course “automatic” itself. From automatic doors that swing open as you approach, to automatic transmissions in automobiles that shift gears, this term includes the idea of self-regulation and efficiency.
In the world of industry and technology, the word has given rise to the field of automation. Factories, processes, and even homes are now equipped with automated systems that function without us humans having to do much, making our lives and work much easier! The idea of automation has become essential in so many different types of jobs, from manufacturing to information technology.
In ancient Greece, “automata” were marvels of engineering, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient inventors like Ctesibius and Hero of Alexandria. These early automata paved the way for the amazing machines and robots that we have today.
Self-driving cars are guided by automatic navigation systems, while planes use “autopilot” where they can fly almost completely by themselves. This idea has extended metaphorically to our daily lives, describing moments when we do routine tasks without thinking about them.
In the world of linguistics, the word has given birth to terms like “automaticity”, describing the ability to perform tasks without conscious effort. Language learners, for example, strive for automaticity in vocabulary recall and grammatical structures, so they can talk in another language.
So today, let's celebrate the automagicians - engineers, inventors, and dreamers - who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. Because, with each breakthrough, we are not just witnessing progress...we are part of a great legacy that began with the ingenious minds of antiquity.
As you go about your day, surrounded by the automagic marvels that have become an integral part of our existence, take a moment to appreciate how ancient wisdom and modern ingenuity have come together.
Activities
Practice writing!
Print out this traceable to write out the ancient Greek word:
Automagic Word Creations:
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