HIS111/112 - World Civilizations

This part of the research guide will help you understand the difference between BC/AD and BCE/CE.

• BC = Before Christ
• AD = Anno Domini
• BCE = Before Common Era
• CE = Common Era

BC is the abbreviation for Before Christ. It refers to a year before Jesus Christ was born. BCE is the abbreviation for Before Common Era. It is the secular or non-religious version of BC.

AD is the abbreviation for Anno Domini, which is Latin for "in the year of the Lord." It refers to a year after the estimated birth of Jesus Christ. CE is the abbreviation for Common Era. It is the secular or non-religious version of AD.

A millennium is a period of a thousand (1,000) years.

For example, the 1st millennium BCE is the period of time lasting from the years 1000 BCE to 1 BCE. The 1st millennium CE is the period of time lasting from the years 1 CE to 1000 CE.

The 2nd millennium BCE is the period of time lasting from the years 2000 BCE to 1001 BCE. The 2nd millennium CE is the period of time lasting from the years 1001 CE to 2000 CE.

A century is a period of one hundred (100) years. 

For example, the 5th century BCE was the period of time that lasted from the years 500 BCE to 401 BCE. The 5th century CE is the period of time lasting from the years 401 CE to 500 CE.

The 14th century BCE was the period of time that lasted from the years 1400 BCE to 1301 BCE. The 14th century CE is the period of time lasting from the years 1301 CE to 1400 CE.