1. Finding the difference between BC and AD
Reading a Timeline
Finding the difference between BC and AD

2. The Calendar Calendar used today is the Gregorian Calendar
Based on the central Christian figure Christ

3. B.C. Stands for “Before Christ”
The larger the number, the earlier the date
For example, 800 B.C. is earlier than
300 B.C.

4. A.D. Stands for “Anno Domini”, which means “In the year of the Lord”
The time after the Christ was born
The smaller the number, the earlier in time
For example, 200 A.D. is earlier than
700 A.D.
Today would be considered A.D.

5. B.C. and B.C.E
B.C. and B.C.E. are interchangeable (they relate to the same period of time)
B.C.E. stands for “before common era”
B.C.E. does not relate to a religion, so it has become more common today
For example, 700 B.C. is the same year as 700 B.C.E.

7. A.D. and C.E.
A.D. and C.E. are interchangeable (they relate to the same period of time)
C.E. stands for “Common Era”, which is today
For example, 1999 A.D. is the same as
1999 C.E.
***Be careful not to confuse B.C.E. and C.E.

8. Putting it all together
Place the following dates on a timeline:
323 B.C. Alexander the Great built his empire from Greece to India
622 A.D. The birth of Islam
476 A.D. Romulus Augustus was taken prisoner of the German King, ending the Roman Empire
4 B.C. Jesus Christ was born
44 B.C. Julius Caesar was assassinated

9. The Timeline 44 B.C. Julius Caesar is assasinated
323 B.C. Alexander the Great builds his empire
44 B.C. Julius Caesar is assasinated
4 B.C. Christ is born
622 A.D. The Birth of Islam
476 A.D. Romulus Augustus was taken prisoner of the German King, ending the Roman Empire