I have made out a list of authorities so that in the foot-notes reference may be made simply to the name of the author; where an author is represented by two or more works, the work in question is denoted by an abbreviation. This list is to be regarded not as an exhaustive bibliography, but merely as an aid to the quotations. Where so many quotations have been made it has been thought advisable not to use inverted commas, except in a few special cases. The fact that the quotations are nevertheless given as far as possible in the author’s own words must be held to excuse a certain apparent inconsistency in the use of tenses. Since I was obliged to include in my work the preliminary stages of the time-reckoning of the culture peoples, I had to deal with languages with which I was altogether unfamiliar, or only imperfectly acquainted. I have therefore often availed myself of the expert advice which has been readily given me by friends and colleagues. For help in the complicated questions belonging to the domains of the Semitic languages and Anglo-Saxon respectively I am especially indebted to my colleagues Professors A. Moberg and E. Ekwall. For occasional advice and information I have to thank Docent Joh. Pedersen of Copenhagen (for the Semitic languages), Prof. Emil Olson of Lund, and Prof. H. Lindroth of Gothenburg (for the Scandinavian), and Docent S. Agrell of Lund (for the Slavonic). The English translation is the work of Mr. F. J. Fielden, English Lector in the University of Lund, who has also read the proof-sheets. I am greatly obliged to him for his conscientious performance of a lengthy and by no means easy task. Lund, _May_ 1920. _Martin P. Nilsson._ CONTENTS. PAGE PREFACE V INTRODUCTION 1 Foundation of the inquiry--Units of time-reckoning--Risings and settings of the stars--Phases of climate, of plant and animal life--Modes of time-reckoning. CHAPTER I.--THE DAY 11 The day of 24 hours not primitive--Counting of days or nights--_Pars pro toto_ reckoning--Indications of the sun’s position--Indications by means of marks etc.--Names for the parts of the day--Names derived from occupations--Lists of names--Homeric expressions--Greek and Latin expressions-- Parts of the night--Night measured by the stars--Measures of time. CHAPTER II.--THE SEASONS 45