Q 01/05

In which year did the Roman Senate rename the eighth month in honour of Augustus?

A) 8 BC

B) 27 BC

C) 44 BC

D) 14 AD

Answer · why

A) 8 BC

The Senate's decree of 8 BC gave the month its name in honour of Augustus, who had held the honorific title Augustus since 27 BC and ruled until his d...

Q 02/05

What was August originally called in the Roman calendar?

A) Octilis

B) Sextilis

C) Quintilis

D) Septilis

Answer · why

B) Sextilis

Sextilis, meaning 'sixth', was the month's name because the early Roman year began in March, which made it the sixth month; it kept that name until th...

Q 03/05

Which medieval scholar invented the myth that August was lengthened to match July?

A) Robert Grosseteste

B) Johannes de Sacrobosco

C) Vincent of Beauvais

D) Albertus Magnus

Answer · why

B) Johannes de Sacrobosco

Johannes de Sacrobosco, writing in the 1200s, claimed the emperor padded his month to rival July; in fact the month had the same length before it was ...

Q 04/05

August's best-known birthstone is which yellow-green gem?

A) Ruby

B) Emerald

C) Sapphire

D) Peridot

Answer · why

D) Peridot

Peridot, the gem form of the mineral olivine, is August's traditional birthstone; it occurs only in shades of green and has even been found in pallasi...

Q 05/05

Which flower is a birth flower of August?

A) Gladiolus

B) Daffodil

C) Chrysanthemum

D) Marigold

Answer · why

A) Gladiolus

The poppy is also associated with the month; the gladiolus is said to signify strength of character.