BCE

BCE, an abbreviation for "Before Common Era," is a secular term used to denote years before the start of the Gregorian calendar year 1 CE (Common Era). It is equivalent to the term "BC" (Before Christ) but is preferred in academic and interfaith contexts for its religious neutrality.

Historical Context

The use of BCE and CE (Common Era) as time designations is part of a broader movement towards secularization in historical and academic writing. The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and is based on the Julian calendar, which was established by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE.

Usage

BCE is used in historical and archaeological contexts to date events that occurred before the start of the Common Era. For example, the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza is dated to around 2580–2560 BCE.

Comparison with BC

While BCE and BC are numerically equivalent, BCE is often preferred in scholarly writing to avoid Christian-centric terminology. This is particularly important in multicultural and interfaith discussions where inclusivity is emphasized.

Adoption

The adoption of BCE/CE notation has been gradual, with many academic institutions and publications now using it as the standard. It is commonly used in textbooks, scholarly articles, and historical research.

Criticism

Some critics argue that BCE/CE is unnecessary and that BC/AD (Anno Domini) should be retained due to its historical significance. Others believe that the change is superficial, as the Gregorian calendar itself is based on the birth of Jesus Christ.

Also see

• Common Era
• Gregorian calendar
• Julian calendar
• Anno Domini
• Interfaith dialogue