Greek Calendar

Why is the ancient Greek calendar, particularly the one of Attica, based on the lunar cycles?

AgathonZante wrote:Why is the ancient Greek calendar, particularly the one of Attica, based on the lunar cycles?

When it comes down to it, it's arbitrary. The cycles of the moon are a convenient way to keep track of the passage of time, probably more convenient and obvious than using the astrological sign the sun is in, and easier to keep track of than the changing seasons, which can vary from location to location in terms of climate changes. Many ancient cultures used the moon to keep track of time. It's most likely one of convenience. Even the modern Gregorian calendar we use is more or less arbitrary, though it has also had adjustments since its rise to popularity in order to make it more accurate.

It's also natural and it keeps us in touch with the cosmos. That's perhaps why religious calendars (Chinese, Christian, Hindu, Muslim) keep the lunations rather than the arbitrary months of the modern civil calendar.