Russia begins using the Anno Domini era instead of the Anno Mundi era of the Byzantine Empire.
The designations Anno Domini (AD) and Before Christ (BC) are used to label or number years within both the Julian and Gregorian calendar systems, which are widely adopted in much of the world today. The term Anno Domini comes from Medieval Latin and translates to "in the year of the Lord." More precisely, it originates from the full Latin phrase "anno Domini nostri Jesu Christi," meaning "in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ." While the phrase often appears as "in the year of the Lord," many English translations substitute "our Lord" for clarity, emphasizing its theological significance.
This chronological system centers on the traditionally calculated date of Jesus Christ’s birth or conception. Years after this event are labeled AD, while years prior are designated BC. Importantly, there is no "year zero" in this scheme—1 BC is immediately followed by AD 1. This method of date reckoning was first introduced in AD 525 by Dionysius Exiguus, a monk from Scythia Minor, as part of his effort to determine the correct date for Easter. However, adoption of this calendar system was gradual; it didn’t gain widespread traction until the 9th century.
In written English, the abbreviation "AD" typically precedes the year number (e.g., AD 68), following Latin conventions. However, it is occasionally placed after the number. Conversely, "BC" is consistently placed after the year (e.g., 68 BC), in order to maintain syntactic clarity. When referring to centuries or millennia, "AD" is often written after the stated period (e.g., "the fourth century AD"), though some traditional grammarians previously disapproved of such usage.
A common misconception is that "AD" stands for "After Death" (i.e., after the death of Jesus), which is inaccurate. If this were true, the approximately 33 years believed to constitute the life of Jesus would not fall under either AD or BC, which they clearly do. In fact, "AD" refers specifically to the years beginning with Christ’s traditionally reckoned birth, not his death.
To accommodate secular and interfaith audiences, alternative designations such as the Common Era (CE) and Before Common Era (BCE) have gained popularity, especially in academic, scientific, and interreligious contexts. These alternatives maintain the same numerical structure as the AD/BC system but omit explicit references to Christianity. For instance, AD 2024 and CE 2024 are numerically equivalent, as are 300 BC and 300 BCE.
For calendar systems requiring religious neutrality or scientific precision, such as astronomical calculations and global standards, ISO 8601 and astronomical year numbering are used. These systems match AD years numerically but differ in the handling of years preceding year 1: astronomical notation includes a year zero and uses negative numbers (e.g., 1 BC is year 0, 45 BC is year –44).
FAQs
What does "Anno Domini" mean?
"Anno Domini" means "in the year of the Lord," referring specifically to Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition.
Is there a year zero between BC and AD?
No. The traditional Gregorian and Julian calendars transition directly from 1 BC to AD 1 with no year zero in between.
Does AD stand for 'After Death'?
No. A common misconception is that "AD" means "After Death" (of Jesus), but it actually represents "Anno Domini"—"in the year of the Lord"—and begins around the traditionally estimated time of Christ’s birth.
What is the difference between AD/BC and CE/BCE?
AD/BC are explicitly Christian notations, with AD referring to "Anno Domini" and BC meaning "Before Christ." CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era) are secular alternatives that align numerically but remove religious references.
Who created the AD/BC dating system?
The system was introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the year AD 525 as part of a table of Easter dates but was not widely adopted until centuries later.
Do scientific calendars use AD/BC?
Not typically. Academic and scientific contexts often use ISO 8601 or astronomical year numbering, which includes a year zero and negative years for dates prior to AD 1.
This enriched overview delivers a more in-depth understanding of the AD/BC dating system, its historical origins, evolving terminology, and interplay with modern secular and scientific conventions, ensuring clarity and relevance for diverse audiences.