BC stands for “Before Christ” in the dating system used to mark the years before the birth of Jesus Christ. BC is part of the BC/AD Systemwhere AD stands for “Anno Domini” (Year of our Lord), used for years after the birth of Christ. The BC meaning is crucial to understanding historical timelines.
Meaning and Usage of BC
- Definition: BC stands for “Before Christ”referring to the years before the estimated birth year of Jesus Christ. This BC meaning is essential in historical dating.
- Placement: BC is placed after the year number (e.g., 500 BC), which helps clarify what BC means in practice
- Counting: BC years count backwardwith 1 BC being the year before 1 AD (there is no year zero). Understanding this is essential to grasping the definition of before Christ.
- Origin: The BC/AD system, including the meaning BC, was developed by Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD as part of the creation of the Easter tables
Background to the BC/AD System
- Purpose: Originally created to calculate the correct date of Easterthe system incorporating what BC means became widely used
- Adoption: The meaning and usage of BC became widely recognized, but not immediately after its creation.
- Accuracy: Dionysius’ estimate of the year of Christ’s birth, which defines what BC means, is said to be off by a few years
- Usage: The BC/AD system, including the definition before Christ, is still widely used, especially in Western countries and Christian contexts
Alternative systems
BCE/CE system
- Meaning: BCE means “Before the Common Era”CE for “Common Era”offering an alternative to the BC meaning
- Equivalence: BCE corresponds to BC, CE to AD; the years line up exactly, retaining the bc definition in practice
- Adoption: Increasingly used in academic And scientific communitiessometimes replacing the traditional meaning of BC
- Advantage: Considered more Understood And secularuseful in multicultural contexts while preserving the timeline of what BC means
Other calendars
- Julian calendar: Presented by Julius Caesar In 46 BCused for over 1,600 years, predating B.C.’s formal meaning system
- Gregorian calendar: Introduced in 1582currently the most used calendar in the world, incorporating the definition from before Jesus Christ
FAQs
What does BC mean in dates?
BC means “Before Christ” in dates. It refers to the years preceding the estimated birth year of Jesus Christ in the BC/AD dating system.
How is British Columbia used in historical dating?
BC is used to mark the years before the birth of Christ. It is placed after the year number (e.g. 500 BC) and the years count backwards, with 1 BC being the year before 1 AD.
What is the difference between BC and BCE?
BC means “Before Christ”, while BCE means “Before the Common Era”. They refer to the same periods, but BCE is considered more secular and inclusive.
How does the meaning of BC affect the counting of years?
In the British Columbia system, the years count down. For example, 50 BC is before 25 BC, and there is no year zero between BC and AD.
Who created the BC/AD system and when?
The BC/AD system, including the “Before Christ” definition, was developed by Dionysius Exiguus in 525 AD as part of the creation of the Easter tables. It was then widely adopted for historical dating.