This meme shows up every year at this time and while it's funny it's not quite true, and an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Roman calendar!
Yes, Julius Caesar did reform the calendar and yes the motnhs July and Augustus were renamed after him and Augustus. But there had been 12 months for a lot longer!
The reason two months were added in goes back to very early Roman times, when they counted winter as one long month rather than three. When they decided to divide it up, it led to two extra motnhs coming in. This is the simplified version of course!
July was originally Quintilis (5th) and August was Sextilis (6th). They were renamed much later!
Caesar's calendar reforms were great tho, and definitely worth reading up on. By all means, add any more interesting stuff you know in the replies!!
It's worth also noting that the shift to January as the new year only happened mid 2nd century BCE, so this was a changing system throughout. What's clear though is that Caesar was not yet born when the 12 month calendar starting in January and ending in December was set
Not to mention the intercalary months!
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