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9.7.4.1.1.2
Historical Background |
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Macedonia has played a pivotal role, historically, in linking certain calendars and cultural practices. |
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The first Macedonian calendars for which we have information seem to have been lunisolar, similar to the Chaldean calendar, and nothing remarkable. Herodotus makes reference to a kingdom in Macedonia in the first half of the seventh century B.C., so the area was organized politically by that time. Macedonia might have remained a footnote in history, except for the exploits of Alexander III (336323 B.C.), the conqueror of much of the known world of the time, recognized in history as Alexander the Great. |
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Much of the history of this period is bound up with a line of rulers known as the Seleucids. These kings are generally associated with the history of Syria and Persia, but the story begins in Macedonia. |
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The height of the Macedonian kingdom was reached under Philip II (359336 B.C.), who successfully extended his dominions to the south, and his son, Alexander III. Seleucus was a Macedonian general under Philip, and later, under Alexander. He distinguished himself in the campaign in India in 326 B.C. |
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After Alexander's death in 323 B.C., his empire was divided by, and among, his generals, known as the Diadochi (successors). Seleucus was appointed cavalry officer and chiliarch under Perdiccas, one of the Diadochi. Perdiccas was murdered shortly thereafter, however, and the remaining Diadochi met again, for a second division of |
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| Table 9.23 Cross-links between months of four calendars. | | Indian | Chaldean | Macedonian | Jewish | | Caitra | Addaru | Xanthicos | Adar | | Vaisakha | Nisannu | Artemisios | Nissan | | Jyaistha | Airu | Daisios | Iyyar | | Asadha | Sivannu | Panemos | Sivan | | Sravana | Duzu | Loios | Tammuz | | Bhadra | Abu | Gorpiaios | Ab | | Asvina | Ululu | Hyperberetrios | Ellul | | Kartika | Tasritu | Dios | Tishri | | Margasirsa | Arah | Appelaios | Marheshvan | | Pausa | Kisilibu | Audynaios | Kislev | | Magha | Dhabitu | Peritios | Tebeth | | Phalguna | Shabat | Dystros | Shebat |
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