B.C. or B.C.E.? Many people use the abbreviations B.C. and A.D. with a year (for example, A.D. 2012). According to this system, we count time backwards Before the Common Era (B.C.E.) and forwards in the Common Era (C.E.).

Which way does BC count?

BC should appear after the numerical year, while AD should appear before it. BCE and CE should both appear after the numerical year. As is the case with most initialisms, periods may be used after each letter.

Which way does the BC Timeline go?

The period before that is known as B.C. (short for Before Christ) and the years after are known as A.D (short Anno Domini, and meaning the Year of our Lord). What can make this system confusing is that events in the B.C. era are dated in descending order, whilst those in the A.D. era happen in ascending order.

Is BC First or CE?

Simply put, BCE (Before Common Era) is a secular version of BC (before Christ). CE (Common Era) is the secular equivalent of AD (anno Domini), which means “in the year of the Lord” in Latin.