Core Skills Analysis
History
Cian examined how Emperor Augustus altered the Roman calendar by naming a month after himself and moving a day from February to August so that both months matched the length of July, which honored Julius Caesar. He also investigated the AD 525 commission of the monk Dionysus Exiguus to standardise the calendar for fixing the date of Easter. By comparing these two reforms, Cian recognised that political power and religious needs motivated calendar changes across centuries. This activity helped him understand continuity and change in historical timekeeping.
Tips
Cian could create a visual timeline that places the Roman and medieval calendar reforms side by side, highlighting causes and effects. He might role‑play a debate between Augustus and Dionysus Exiguus to explore how leaders justify changes for political or religious reasons. A research project on other calendar adjustments—such as the Gregorian reform—would deepen his grasp of long‑term continuity. Finally, visiting a local museum or virtual exhibit on ancient Rome and medieval Christianity could provide tangible connections to the concepts.
Book Recommendations
- The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction by Christopher Kelly: An accessible overview of Roman history that explains political reforms, including Augustus’ impact on the calendar.
- The Story of the Calendar by Gail Gibbons: A picture‑book journey through the development of calendars from ancient times to the modern era, perfect for young readers.
- A Little History of the World by E. H. Gombrich: A sweeping narrative that places calendar changes within broader world events, helping students see continuity over centuries.
Learning Standards
- ACHASSK089 – Uses evidence to investigate historical events and changes in the Roman and early medieval periods.
- ACHASSK090 – Explains continuity and change over time by comparing Augustus’ and Dionysus Exiguus’ calendar reforms.
- ACHASSI101 – Applies historical enquiry processes to analyse causes, purposes, and impacts of calendar modifications.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Compare month lengths before and after Augustus’ reform; fill in a table showing the shift of the extra day.
- Quiz: Multiple‑choice questions on key dates, motivations, and figures involved in both calendar reforms.
- Drawing Task: Design a personal calendar wheel that reflects a chosen historical period’s month names and lengths.
- Writing Prompt: Imagine you are Dionysus Exiguus—write a short letter explaining why standardising the Easter date matters.