October (Roman month) October (Roman month) October (from Latin "octo", "eight") or mensis October was the eighth of ten months on the oldest Roman calendar. It had 31 days. October followed September (from "septem", "seven") and preceded November ("novem", "nine"). After the calendar reform that resulted in a 12-month year, October became the tenth month, but retained its numerical name, as did the other months from September through December. Some of the observances in October marked the close of the season for military campaigning and farming, which commenced in March ("Martius", "Mars' month"). October was under the guardianship "(tutela)" of Mars. The Romans
November (Roman month) have been the most ancient holidays, becoming part of the calendar before 509 BC. Unless otherwise noted, the dating and observances on the following table are from H.H. Scullard, "Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic" (Cornell University Press, 1981), pp. 196–198. After the Ides, dates for the Julian calendar are given; pre-Julian dates for particular events, when April had one less day, are noted parenthetically. November (Roman month) November (from Latin "novem", "nine") or mensis November was originally the ninth of ten months on the Roman calendar, following October ("octo", "eight") and preceding December ("decem", "ten"). It had 29