The phrase "Before Christ" is used to indicate dates prior to the estimated birth year of Jesus Christ. The spelling of this phrase can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription as /bɪˈfɔːr krɪst/. The first syllable "bi" is pronounced as "bɪ", followed by "fɔːr" pronounced with a drawn-out "o" sound. The second word "Christ" is pronounced with a hard "k" sound at the beginning and a soft "ist" sound at the end. Together, the phrase is pronounced as "bɪˈfɔːr krɪst" and is commonly abbreviated as "BC".
Before Christ, often abbreviated as "B.C.", is a term used in the Gregorian calendar system to denote the time period prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. It is used to establish a chronological framework for historical and cultural events. The term "Before Christ" places events in relation to the birth of Jesus, who is considered by Christians to be the Messiah and the focal point of human history.
Before Christ is essentially a year-based system that counts backward from the estimated birth of Jesus, which is traditionally believed to have occurred around the year 1 A.D., hence serving as a dividing point. The use of "B.C." helps categorize ancient events, civilizations, and time periods, allowing historians, scholars, and individuals to understand and analyze history while utilizing a standardized and universally recognized reference point.
The term Before Christ is predominantly used in Western culture and primarily corresponds to the Christian religious beliefs. However, it is important to note that the use of this system does not indicate or prioritize the religious significance attributed to the birth of Jesus. Instead, it serves as a practical tool for organizing and comprehending human history, enabling a common understanding and reference point for dating events that occurred prior to Jesus' birth.
The etymology of the phrase "Before Christ" traces back to the 17th century. It is derived from the Latin phrase "ante Christum natum", which means "before Christ was born". The abbreviation "B.C". (Before Christ) started to be used in English texts in the 18th century and became a standard way of denoting years that preceded the birth of Jesus Christ. In recent years, there has been a shift toward using the abbreviation "BCE" (Before Common Era) as a secular alternative to "B.C". while still denoting the same time period. "BCE" stands for "Before Common Era" and "CE" for "Common Era", functioning as neutral terms devoid of religious connotations.