Changes

[[BC]] is an English [[initialism]] meaning "Before Christ" and always is the last element. If the context does not otherwise indicate we are in such times, one is obligated to use the form. One can use it with full explicit dates, e.g., "Julius Caesar was killed March 15, 44 BC".

[[BC]] is an English [[initialism]] meaning "Before Christ" and always is the last element. If the context does not otherwise indicate we are in such times, one is obligated to use the form. One can use it with full explicit dates, e.g., "Julius Caesar was killed March 15, 44 BC".

The AD system of dating was first invented by a Roman Catholic monk named Dionysus in Italy in the 6th century AD. Unfortunately, his computations met with a problem. Herod the Great died in 4 BC, and the census of Judea took place when that province was annexed by Rome in AD 6. Presumably, Dionysus compromised and chose a year about halfway between these to start his calendar with. Either way, it is incorrect in a strict historical sense. Previously, people in Europe measured time from the accession of the Emperor [[Diocletian]] in 284 AD, or from the founding of the city of Rome in 753 BC, or simply by naming the annually elected [[consul]]s.

The AD system of dating was first invented by a Roman Catholic monk named Dionysus in Italy in the 6th century AD. Unfortunately, his computations met with a problem. Herod the Great died in 4 BC, and the census of Judea took place when that province was annexed by Rome in AD 6. Presumably, Dionysus compromised and chose a year about halfway between these to start his calendar with. Either way, it is incorrect in a strict historical sense. Previously, people in Europe measured time from the accession of the Emperor [[Diocletian]] in 284 AD, or from the founding of the city of Rome in 753 BC, or simply by naming the annually elected [[consul]]s.