Sextilis ("sixth") or
mensis Sextilis was the
Latin name for what was originally the sixth month in the
Roman calendar, when March (
Martius, "
Mars' month") was the first of ten months in the year. After the calendar reform that produced a twelve-month year, Sextilis became the eighth month, but retained its name. It was renamed
Augustus (
August) in 8 BC in honor of the first
Roman emperor,
Augustus. Sextilis followed
Quinctilis, which was renamed
Julius (
July) after
Julius Caesar, and preceded
September (from
septem, "seven"), which was originally the seventh month.