What comes first, BC or AD? This question often sparks debates among historians and students of timekeeping. The answer lies in the historical context and the development of the Gregorian calendar. Understanding the origin of these terms can provide valuable insights into the evolution of our current system of time measurement.
The terms BC and AD are abbreviations for Before Christ and Anno Domini, respectively. BC refers to the time period before the birth of Jesus Christ, while AD signifies the years after his birth. The use of these terms is rooted in the Christian calendar, which was established to mark time from the birth of Jesus Christ.
The concept of BC and AD originated in the 6th century AD when a monk named Dionysius Exiguus proposed a new system of dating. He based his system on the traditional Julian calendar, which was in use at the time. Dionysius, who was a Scythian monk living in Rome, believed that the birth of Jesus Christ was the most significant event in history and wanted to establish a new era to mark the beginning of this event.
To calculate the date of Jesus Christ’s birth, Dionysius examined various historical records and estimated that it occurred in the year 753 BC. However, his calculation was not entirely accurate, as it is now believed that Jesus Christ was born around 4 BC. Despite this discrepancy, Dionysius’s system gained popularity and was eventually adopted by the Catholic Church.
The adoption of the BC and AD system was not immediate. In the early stages, the terms Anno Domini and Before Christ were used interchangeably. However, over time, it became customary to use AD as the preferred term, particularly in Europe. The term BC was introduced to distinguish the years before Christ from the years after Christ.
Today, the BC and AD system is widely used worldwide. It has become an integral part of our daily lives, from historical documentation to legal and administrative purposes. However, it is important to note that the BC and AD system is not the only method of dating. Other systems, such as the Islamic Hijri calendar and the Hebrew calendar, use different methods to mark time.
In conclusion, the question of what comes first, BC or AD, can be answered by understanding the historical context and the development of the Christian calendar. The terms BC and AD were introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century AD to mark time from the birth of Jesus Christ. While the BC and AD system is widely used today, it is crucial to recognize that there are other dating systems in existence, each with its unique historical significance.
