AC BC Full Form

What is the full form of AC and BC?

The terms "A.D." and "B.C." are rooted in Christianity and are used to mark the passage of time based on the conventional belief of the birth of Jesus Christ. "A.D." which stands for "anno domini" in Latin, meaning "in the year of the Lord," denotes years that have passed since his birth, while "B.C." stands for "before Christ" and designates years that preceded his birth. The system is based on the Christian calendar, and the years are counted according to the birth of Jesus Christ.

In recent times, an alternate interpretation of B.C./A.D. has gained popularity, in an effort to make the system more inclusive and palatable to non-Christians. The terms "C.E," (Common Era) and "B.C.E" (Before the Common Era) are frequently used in publications as a secular alternative to the traditional terms.

History of AC and BC

The question of when to celebrate Easter constituted the most significant calculation in the early Middle Ages and, thus, one of the primary drivers behind the European study of mathematics. Easter will fall on the Sunday following the full moon after the spring equinox, as the First Council of Nicaea decided in A.D. 325.

The method for calculating this vital date was known as computus, and the computations were detailed in texts known as Easter tables.

According to Georges Declercq, a history professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the A.D. system, which counts the years since the birth of Christ, was first introduced in A.D. 525 on one such table by a monk by the name of Dionysius Exiguus (also known as Dennis the Small) of Scythia Minor.

Transition from Anno Diocletiani to Anno Domino

Easter is one of the most significant Christian holidays and its celebration is based on the lunar calendar, with the date determined as the Sunday following the full moon after the spring equinox. The method for calculating this date, known as computus, was of great importance in the early Middle Ages and was a primary driver behind the European study of mathematics. In A.D. 325, the First Council of Nicaea established the method of calculating the date of Easter.

The spread of the system

Easter tables, which detailed the computations for determining the date of Easter, were widely used in the Middle Ages. One such table was created by a monk named Dionysius Exiguus (also known as Dennis the Small) of Scythia Minor in A.D. 525. He introduced the A.D. system, which counts the years since the birth of Christ, and replaced the Diocletian system, named after the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled from A.D. 284 to A.D. 305. The Diocletian system counted the years since Diocletian assumed the throne of the Roman emperor.

According to history professor Georges Declercq, "Anno Domini 532" was the first year listed in Dionysius' Easter table, followed by "Anno Diocletian 247." According to Project Muse at Johns Hopkins University, Dionysius decision to change the system was also driven by a desire to erase the memory of Diocletian, who had been known for his harsh persecution of Christians. The World History Encyclopedia notes that Dionysius wanted to distance the Christian calendar from the memory of Diocletian and his reign. Thus, the calculation and celebration of Easter played a significant role in the development of the Christian calendar and the study of mathematics in the early Middle Ages.

Similarities Between the Years AD and BC

• Both the letters AD and BC refer to historical periods.
• They are defined in connection to Jesus Christ's birth and time.

Distinctions Between AD and BC Definition

• AD is an acronym for Anno Domini, while BC is an abbreviation for Before Christ.
• Time Frame Involved: AD refers to the time after Jesus Christ's birth, whereas BC refers to the time before Jesus Christ's birth.
• Alternative Names: AD is also abbreviated as CE, which means for "Common Era," whereas BC is abbreviated as BCE, which stands for "Before Common Era."
• Writing Methodology: Traditionally, in English, the "AD" abbreviation comes before the year number, just as it does in Latin. However, the BC prefix is always placed after the year number. For example, AD 525 and 302 BC.
• Numbering System: In AD, we name the years in chronological order: for example, AD 402 came after AD 401. In the BC period, however, we number the years in reverse order: for example, the year 301 BC came after the year 302 BC.

Conclusion

The primary distinction between AD and BC is that AD refers to the time after Jesus Christ's birth, whereas BC refers to the time before Jesus Christ's birth. AD is an acronym for 'Anno Domini,' while BC is an abbreviation for 'Before Christ.'