answersLogoWhite

0

BC years are counted down. For example: 312 BC, 311 BC, 310 BC... and so on until you reach 0, and then it turns from 0 to 1 AD, 2 AD, 3 AD, and so forth. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Actually the BC years originally were counting in ascending order until 395 AD/ CE year that the Emperor Theodosius I the Great issued the decree that forbid the Olympic Games. The ancient world had as counting base the Olympic Games and the Olympiads - the 4 years period between two Olympic Games. There were counted approximately 290 Olympiads since they were introduced in 776 BCE. Several adjustments occurred in the course of time. The major one that survived to current days is the Julian calendar - still in use by the Eastern Greek Orthodox Church - which was introduced and adopted in 46 BCE and until 8 AD/ CE was monitored and fine tuned. This calendar was amended by the Pope Gregory XIII on the 24th of February 1582. The numbering of the years as we understand the term today was set and agreed in 412 AD/ CE. That is the reason that leaves a gap of 4 to 7 years since there is not a year 0 [zero].

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

Still curious? Ask our experts.

Chat with our AI personalities

ReneRene
Change my mind. I dare you.
Chat with Rene
LaoLao
The path is yours to walk; I am only here to hold up a mirror.
Chat with Lao
JordanJordan
Looking for a career mentor? I've seen my fair share of shake-ups.
Chat with Jordan

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How they are counted the BC years - up or down?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Ancient History

What did Cleopatra reign?

51BC-13 January 47 BC. (4 years) Alongside ptolemy XIII Alongside ptolemy XIV- 13 January 47 BC - 44 BC ( 3 years) 2 September 44 BC - 12 August 30 BC ( alongside ceasarion) ( 14 years, 21 days) P.S this can also be search up at wikipedia.com


How many years or centuries are there on record for BC - Before Christ?

Writing systems go back more than to around 4,100 years BC. However, simple tokens, the precursors to writing, have been dated to around 7,000 years BC. Early Egyptian records show that its culture was beginning to resemble the Pharaonic ages from around 5,500 BC. The "Old" Predynastic, or Amratian period, started around 4500 BC. The first pyramids were built around 2,900 years BC. Cave art in Europe also forms a record of human existence. This has been dated at up to 30,000 years BC. Prior to 30,000 years ago, we must rely on the evidence provided by archaeologists, paleo-anthropologists, geologists and others. There are physical records of modern humans dating back to around 200,000 years ago.


For how long did Cleopatra rule?

Although she struggled with her brother for power from about 50 BC, Cleopatra was not established as the sole ruler of Egypt until the spring of 47 BC. This was because she had allied herself with Julius Caesar and the force of Rome to back her up. She died in 30 BC. So she actually ruled for about 17 years.


Why does the dates go backwards in BC?

years were numbered to count backward to indicate the number of years an event had occurred “before Christ” or “B.C.”


How long ago was 3rd century bc?

Oh, dude, the 3rd century BC was like, around 2,200 years ago. Yeah, it's ancient history, like way before smartphones and avocado toast. So, if you were planning on meeting up with someone from the 3rd century BC, you might want to check if they're still alive first.