what does bce mean

BCE stands for "Before Common Era." It is a secular and inclusive term used to denote years before year 1 in the Gregorian calendar, serving as an alternative to the traditional "BC" (Before Christ) notation. BCE marks the time before the Common Era began, which corresponds to the period before the birth of Jesus Christ, although the exact year of his birth is historically uncertain. Its counterpart, CE (Common Era), refers to the years from year 1 onward, replacing AD (Anno Domini). The BCE/CE system is widely used in academic, scientific, and educational contexts to avoid religious connotations associated with BC and AD, promoting neutrality across cultures and religions