Reading a Timeline

Finding the difference between BC and AD

The Calendar

Calendar used today is the Gregorian Calendar

Based on the central Christian figure Christ

B.C.

Stands for “Before Christ”

The larger the number, the earlier the date

For example, 800 B.C. is earlier than

300 B.C.

A.D.

Stands for “Anno Domini”, which means “In the year of the Lord”

The time after the Christ was born

The smaller the number, the earlier in time

For example, 200 A.D. is earlier than

700 A.D.

Today would be considered A.D.

B.C. and B.C.E

B.C. and B.C.E. are interchangeable (they relate to the same period of time)

B.C.E. stands for “before common era”

B.C.E. does not relate to a religion, so it has become more common today

For example, 700 B.C. is the same year as 700 B.C.E.

A.D. and C.E.

A.D. and C.E. are interchangeable (they relate to the same period of time)

C.E. stands for “Common Era”, which is today

For example, 1999 A.D. is the same as

1999 C.E.

***Be careful not to confuse B.C.E. and C.E.

Putting it all together

Place the following dates on a timeline:

323 B.C. Alexander the Great built his empire from Greece to India

622 A.D. The birth of Islam

476 A.D. Romulus Augustus was taken prisoner of the German King, ending the Roman Empire

4 B.C. Jesus Christ was born

44 B.C. Julius Caesar was assassinated

323 B.C. Alexander the Great builds his empire

622 A.D. The Birth of Islam

476 A.D. Romulus Augustus was taken prisoner of the German King, ending the Roman Empire

4 B.C. Christ is born

44 B.C. Julius Caesar is assasinated

The Timeline