Difference Between BC and BCE

By: | Updated: Jun-18, 2022
The contents of the Difference.guru website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!

BCE and BC are already known as a term to mention the before Christ Era. Those 2 terms are actually the same thing. But there is a difference between those terms. Here are the discussion about BCE and BC.

Summary Table

BC BCE
To mention the era To mention the date
Begin with the Christ Begin with the date as a beginning

Difference Between BC and BCE

What is BC?

Before Christ is the period that began with the creation of Christ and ended with the creation of God. BC is also known as the Before Common Era. The abbreviation BCE is also used to mean the date after the Common Era. But there is no need to use this abbreviation for this era. The era before Common Era or BC is known as Before Christ. The era after the Common Era or CE is known as After Christ.

What is BCE?

Before Common Era is the era that began with the creation of Christ and the dawn of Christianity. Common Era, or CE, was adopted by astronomers in 1582 and replaced “Common” as a standard calendar year on October 4, 1582. The abbreviation BCE (Before Common Era) has been used to indicate a date before this standardization.

BC VS BCE

Before Christ means the period that began with the creation of Christ and ended with the creation of God. Before Common Era means the era that began with the creation of Christ and ended with the standardization of the calendar. But it is not necessary to use this abbreviation for this era.

This difference is only about the era of BC. While BCE is used just to mention the date after that era. BCE is also used to mean the date after the Common Era. But there is no need to use this abbreviation for this era. The era before Common Era or BC is known as Before Christ. The era after the Common Era or CE is known as After Christ.

The time period before the common era was divided into 3 parts, before Christ, before common era, and after common era (or before christ).The difference is only about the era of BC. While BCE is used just to mention the date after that era. BCE is also used to mean the date after the Common Era.

(Visited 426 times, 1 visits today)
Did this article help you?
Thank you!
Thank you!
What was wrong?