DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15#0214
THE ORIGIN OF THE WEEK.
It may be assumed, with Ideler, that the week has originated
from the length of the synodic months . . . and that reference to
the planetary series, together with planetary days and hours, belong
to an entirely different period of advanced and speculative culture.—
Humboldt [Cosmos).
I PROPOSE in this essay to consider how the week
probably had its origin, presenting, as occasion
serves, such subsidiary evidence as can be derived
from history or tradition. Usually this and kindred
subjects have been dealt with à posteriori. Observ-
ances, festivals, chronological arrangements, and so
forth, known or recorded to have been adopted by
various nations, have been examined, and an in-
quiry made into their significance. The result
has not been altogether satisfactory. Many inte-
resting facts have been brought to light as research
has proceeded, and several elaborate theories have
been advanced on nearly every point of chronolo-
gical research. Any one of these theories, ex-
amined alone, seems to be established almost
beyond dispute by the number of facts seemingly
It may be assumed, with Ideler, that the week has originated
from the length of the synodic months . . . and that reference to
the planetary series, together with planetary days and hours, belong
to an entirely different period of advanced and speculative culture.—
Humboldt [Cosmos).
I PROPOSE in this essay to consider how the week
probably had its origin, presenting, as occasion
serves, such subsidiary evidence as can be derived
from history or tradition. Usually this and kindred
subjects have been dealt with à posteriori. Observ-
ances, festivals, chronological arrangements, and so
forth, known or recorded to have been adopted by
various nations, have been examined, and an in-
quiry made into their significance. The result
has not been altogether satisfactory. Many inte-
resting facts have been brought to light as research
has proceeded, and several elaborate theories have
been advanced on nearly every point of chronolo-
gical research. Any one of these theories, ex-
amined alone, seems to be established almost
beyond dispute by the number of facts seemingly