Common Era (CE) and Before the Common Era (BCE) are year notations used with the Gregorian calendar (and its predecessor, the Julian calendar), which is the most widely adopted civil calendar system globally. These terms serve as religiously neutral alternatives to the traditional Anno Domini (AD) and Before Christ (BC) designations.
Hosting- Numerical Equivalence:
- 2025 CE = AD 2025
- 400 BCE = 400 BC
Historical Context and Terminology
- Origin and Early Usage
- Dionysius Exiguus (c. 525) introduced year numbering based on what he identified as the birth of Jesus, using Anno Domini (AD).
- Usage of AD (and subsequently BC) became widespread in Europe after it appeared in works by Bede (8th century).
- Common Era (CE) traces back linguistically to the Latin phrase annus aerae nostrae vulgaris (1615) by astronomer Johannes Kepler, sometimes translated as “year of our common era.”
- The English term “Vulgar Era” (with “vulgar” initially meaning “common” rather than derogatory) appeared in the 17th century and was later replaced by “Common Era.”
- Transition to BCE/CE
- The abbreviations CE and BCE are designed to remove explicit references to Jesus (i.e., “Christ” or “Lord”), making the calendar more inclusive for people of various faiths or no religious affiliation.
- Despite the name change, both AD/BC and CE/BCE share the same numerical timeline with an epoch that remains linked to the approximate birth year of Jesus.
Development and Adoption
- Jewish and Academic Usage
- Jewish scholars began using BCE and CE to avoid Christian theological implications, and such usage dates back at least to the 19th century.
- By the late 20th century, BCE/CE gained popularity in academic, scientific, and interfaith contexts.
- Many publishers, universities, and professional organizations either permit or prefer BCE/CE to foster inclusivity.
- Contemporary Examples
- Educational Textbooks: Some regions (e.g., parts of the United States, the UK, and Australia) include CE/BCE in textbooks or curriculum guidelines.
- Museums and Public Institutions: Several museums, such as the Canadian Museum of History (formerly Museum of Civilization), have alternated between using BC/AD and BCE/CE, reflecting shifting institutional policies.
- Media Outlets: Organizations differ in their approach; some adopt BCE/CE universally, while others maintain AD/BC for familiarity.
Points of Debate
- Arguments in Favor of CE/BCE
- Inclusivity: Supporters argue that terms like “Common Era” and “Before Common Era” are more respectful in multicultural or interfaith environments.
- Wider Acceptance: Since the Gregorian calendar is used worldwide, the secular terminology is seen as more universally appropriate.
- Critiques of CE/BCE
- Same Christian Epoch: Although the acronyms differ, the underlying reference date (the birth of Jesus) remains the same. Critics see this as a purely cosmetic change.
- Potential Confusion or Redundancy: Some prefer sticking with the long-established AD/BC format to avoid unnecessary complexity.
- Sentimental and Religious Reasons: Many Christians value “Anno Domini” for its explicit connection to Jesus. Some worry that removing those references dilutes cultural or religious heritage.
Style Conventions
- Placement
- BCE (like BC) follows the year number (399 BCE),
- CE (like AD) can be placed after the year number (2025 CE).
- Capitalization and Punctuation
- Often written in small caps or uppercase (e.g., BCE, CE).
- Sometimes styled with periods (B.C.E., C.E.).
- No Year Zero
- Historically, AD/BC (and thus CE/BCE) skip from 1 BC to AD 1 (1 BCE to 1 CE).
References and Further Reading
- Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People (for the spread of AD/BC).
- Johannes Kepler’s 17th-century works (for early mention of vulgaris aerae).
- Campbell, Alexander. Living Oracles (1835) (for early English uses of “vulgar era” and “common era”).
- Various style guides (e.g., Society of Biblical Literature) that address preference for BCE/CE in academic texts.
Summary
Common Era (CE) and Before the Common Era (BCE) evolved primarily to provide a neutral alternative to the Christian-based AD/BC notation. While numerically identical to AD/BC, BCE/CE is often preferred in interfaith, secular, and academic contexts for its inclusivity. Despite ongoing debates and regional differences, both forms are widely recognized in global discourse, highlighting the calendar’s shared historical legacy.
