When was bce first used

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The term 'BCE' (Before Common Era) began appearing in English academic writing in the early 18th century, with documented use by 1708. It gained widespread acceptance in the 20th century, particularly from the 1980s onward, as a secular alternative to 'BC'.

Key Facts

The term BCE was first documented in English in 1708 in a translation of German theological works.
BCE stands for 'Before Common Era' and is equivalent in dating to 'BC'.
The Common Era (CE) system originated from the Anno Domini (AD) system introduced by Dionysius Exiguus in 525 CE.
Academic and scientific communities widely adopted BCE/CE in the late 20th century for religious neutrality.
By the 2000s, major publishers, museums, and educational institutions preferred BCE/CE over BC/AD.

Overview

The term 'BCE' (Before Common Era) emerged as a secular way to denote years before the start of the Common Era, aligning numerically with 'BC' (Before Christ). It is part of a broader effort to use religiously neutral language in academic, scientific, and multicultural contexts.

While the calendar system itself dates back to early medieval Europe, the specific terminology 'BCE' is much more recent. Its usage reflects evolving standards in historical and scholarly communication, emphasizing inclusivity and secularism.

First documented use: The term 'BCE' appeared in English as early as 1708, in a translation of German theological texts, marking its earliest known appearance.
Equivalent to BC: BCE is numerically identical to BC; for example, 44 BCE is the same year as 44 BC, the year of Julius Caesar's assassination.
Calendar origin: The dating system stems from the 525 CE proposal by Dionysius Exiguus, who calculated the birth of Jesus Christ as the starting point of the era.
Secular shift: The adoption of BCE/CE gained momentum in the 1980s and 1990s, especially in textbooks and academic journals aiming for religious neutrality.
Modern prevalence: By the 2000s, institutions like the Smithsonian and major university presses routinely used BCE/CE in publications and exhibits.

How It Works

BCE functions identically to BC in terms of year numbering but differs in terminology to avoid religious references. It is part of a paired system with CE (Common Era), replacing BC and AD respectively.

Term: BCE stands for 'Before Common Era' and refers to all years before year 1 CE. It maintains the same timeline as the traditional BC system without referencing Christianity.
Year numbering: The year 1 BCE immediately precedes 1 CE, with no year zero in the Gregorian calendar, just as there is none in the BC/AD system.
Global adoption: Countries with secular education standards, such as Australia and Canada, have widely integrated BCE/CE into national curricula since the early 2000s.
Scientific preference: Journals like Nature and Science favor BCE/CE to maintain neutrality, especially in interdisciplinary and international research contexts.
Religious neutrality: Using BCE/CE allows scholars to discuss historical timelines without implying adherence to Christian doctrine, which is especially important in multicultural academic environments.
Consistency with CE: Just as 2024 CE corresponds to AD 2024, 500 BCE is the same as 500 BC, ensuring continuity with existing historical records.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of BCE/CE with BC/AD and other calendar systems:

System	Start Date	First Usage	Religious Basis	Modern Use
BCE/CE	1 CE (same as AD)	1708 (first English use)	Secular	Widespread in academia
BC/AD	1 AD	525 CE (Dionysius)	Christian	Common in religious contexts
Islamic (Hijri)	622 CE	622 CE	Islamic	Used in Muslim-majority countries
Hebrew	3761 BCE	~1st century CE	Jewish	Used in Israel and religious texts
Chinese	Varies by dynasty	12th century BCE	Imperial/Cultural	Used historically and ceremonially

This table highlights how BCE/CE provides a globally accessible alternative to BC/AD. While BC/AD remains common in religious and traditional settings, BCE/CE is preferred in contexts emphasizing inclusivity. The shift reflects broader trends toward secularism in education and science, particularly in international collaborations where religious neutrality is essential.

Why It Matters

The adoption of BCE/CE has significant implications for education, historical scholarship, and intercultural communication. It supports accurate, respectful dialogue across diverse belief systems.

Academic standards: Major style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style, now recommend or accept BCE/CE for scholarly publications.
Educational inclusivity: U.S. public schools increasingly use BCE/CE to comply with constitutional separation of church and state in history curricula.
Museum exhibits: Institutions like the British Museum use BCE/CE to ensure accessibility for global visitors of all faiths.
Textbook publishing: By 2010, over 70% of U.S. history textbooks used BCE/CE, up from less than 10% in 1990.
Global research: International collaborations in archaeology and paleontology standardize on BCE/CE to avoid religious terminology.
Cultural sensitivity: Using BCE/CE respects non-Christian scholars and students, promoting equity in academic and public discourse.

As the world becomes more interconnected, the use of neutral terminology like BCE/CE helps bridge cultural and religious divides. Its growing adoption underscores a commitment to inclusivity and accuracy in how we understand and teach human history.