Timelines and Chronology Vocabulary

Timelines Vocabulary Overview

General Terms

  • c. (circa)

    • Meaning: "about"

    • Usage: Indicates approximate dates, e.g., c. 1850 B.C. signifies around the year 1850 Before Christ.

Vocabulary Related to Timelines

  1. Timeline

    • Definition: A visual representation showing important events in the order of their occurrence, often with evenly spaced intervals.

  2. Chronology

    • Definition: The arrangement of time into defined periods, evaluating historical events and determining their dates and order of occurrence.

  3. Decade

    • Definition: A period of 10 years.

  4. Century

    • Definition: A period of 100 years.

  5. Millennium

    • Definition: A period of 1000 years.

Historical Dating Systems

  1. B.C. (Before Christ)

    • Significance: Denotes years before the traditional date of the birth of Jesus Christ.

  2. A.D. (Anno Domini)

    • Literal Translation: "In the Year of the Lord" (Latin)

    • Significance: Refers to the years after the birth of Jesus Christ.

  3. B.C.E. (Before Common Era)

    • Definition: A non-religious equivalent of B.C., meaning the same timeframe.

  4. C.E. (Common Era)

    • Definition: The secular equivalent of A.D., representing the same timeframe.

Relationships between Systems

  • A.D. and C.E.

    • A.D. is equivalent to C.E.

    • Illustrates the same historical era without religious connotations.

  • B.C. and B.C.E.

    • B.C. equates to B.C.E.

    • Both indicate years before the common era, again eliminating religious ties.

Reason for Utilizing Both Systems

  • Why use both A.D. and C.E.?

    • C.E. removes the religious context, offering a more secular approach to historical dating.

  • Why use both B.C. and B.C.E.?

    • B.C.E. similarly offers a secular alternative to B.C., making discussions about historical timelines more inclusive.