October = “eighth month” - might other dates be off by two months also?
Pliny the Younger actually wrote Nonum Kal. Septembres - the 9th day before the Kalends of September.
24-25-26-27-28-29-30-31-1.
That would be 24 August, yes.
At first glance, I’d say that’s not likely, but I don’t have another explanation.
Ancient calendars went through some changes, with January eventually being the first month for the Romans; previously it had been March, so that September as the seventh month made sense, October as eight, November as nine, December as ten.
September = '"seventh month"
October = "eighth month"
November = "ninth month"
December = "tenth month"
It's pretty clear the calendar used to start on March 1st. I'm guessing March first was originally at the spring equinox, the annual equivalent of dawn, and not near the winter solstice, the annual equivalent of midnight.
Going way, way, way out on a limb, I assert (with absolutely no solid evidence!) that Jesus was born on the 1st of March, that is to say the man who's symbol was a fish was born a Pisces!
It makes sense that the most singular event in history, the start of a new era, would coincide with the start of a new year.
In like a Lion (of Judah), out like a Lamb (of sacrifice)...