Calculating Years

What do all those letters mean?

• B.C.• A.D.• B.C.E.• C.E.

• B.C. = B.C.E.• A.D. = C.E.

• Before Christ• Anno Domini (in the

year of the Lord)• Before Common Era• Common Era

Art Institute of Chicago – Chicago, Illinois

Timelines and Centuries• Century = 100 (old Roman term)• Our current calendar and year calculations use

the birth of Jesus as its starting point• All years before his birth end with either B.C. or

B.C.E. (personal preference)• All years after end with A.D. or C.E.• The first century A.D. = Years 1-99 A.D. (C.E.)• Second century A.D. = Years 100-199 A.D.• Twentieth century A.D. = Years 1900-1999 A.D.• 21st century A.D. = Years 2000-2099 A.D.

Steps to Calculate the Years

1. Check the letters2. If they are the same, subtract

2010 CE – 1492 CE = 518 years

3. If they are different, add2011 CE + 44 BCE = 2055 years