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'''AD '''or''' A.D.''' was the abbreviated form of ''Anno Domini''. The AD epoch followed either year 0, or the year 1 [[BC]] and counted upward. In mathematical terms, it was the positive counterpart to the previous epoch, [[BC]]. [[Adric]] once referred to this dating method when he informed [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] that the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] had arrived in the year "[[2526]] in the time scale you call Anno Domini." ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
'''AD '''or''' A.D.''' was the abbreviated form of ''Anno Domini''. The AD epoch followed either year 0, or the year 1 [[BC]] and counted upward. In mathematical terms, it was the positive counterpart to the previous epoch, [[BC]]. [[Adric]] once referred to this dating method when he informed [[Tegan Jovanka|Tegan]] that the [[the Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] had arrived in the year "[[2526]] in the time scale you call Anno Domini." ([[TV]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')


The question of whether the year 0 existed was central to the dispute over whether the year [[2000]] was the last year of the second millennium or the first year of the third millennium. Different people, like the noted chronologist Professor [[Wagg]] ([[DW]]: ''[[Doctor Who (1996)|Doctor Who]]'') and even the [[Eighth Doctor]] himself ([[DWN]]: ''[[Doctor Who - The Novel of the Film]]'') believed AD ''did'' start with year 0, because they thought 2000 was the start of the new millennium. The [[Sixth Doctor]] ([[MA]]: ''[[Millennial Rites]]'') and [[Dave Young]] ([[EDA]]: ''[[Escape Velocity]]'') strongly felt otherwise.
The question of whether the year 0 existed was central to the dispute over whether the year [[2000]] was the last year of the second millennium or the first year of the third millennium. Different people, like the noted chronologist Professor [[Wagg]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (1996)|Doctor Who]]'') and even the [[Eighth Doctor]] himself ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Doctor Who - The Novel of the Film]]'') believed AD ''did'' start with year 0, because they thought 2000 was the start of the new millennium. The [[Sixth Doctor]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Millennial Rites]]'') and [[Dave Young]] ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Escape Velocity]]'') strongly felt otherwise.
== Timeline ==
== Timeline ==
In general, most [[human]]s of the AD era used "BC" to indicate a BC year, but often failed to use "AD" to designate a year from their own epoch. Thus, to take an example, the year [[1943]] was most commonly understood to be 1943 ''AD''. Decades and centuries were likewise assumed to be AD unless specifically denoted as BC.  
In general, most [[human]]s of the AD era used "BC" to indicate a BC year, but often failed to use "AD" to designate a year from their own epoch. Thus, to take an example, the year [[1943]] was most commonly understood to be 1943 ''AD''. Decades and centuries were likewise assumed to be AD unless specifically denoted as BC.  
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== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
* An inherently [[Christianity|Christian]] designation, AD is not generally used in calendars of the traditionally non-Christian world. Consequently, some people use BCE (meaning ''Before Common Era'') for BC and CE (meaning ''Common Era'') as a substitute for AD. These largely cosmetic replacements are thought to avoid religious offence. However, ''[[Doctor Who]]'' fiction has typically remained loyal to the BC/AD convention. Even as late as the [[RTD]] and [[Steven Moffat|Moffat]] eras, dialogue and on-screen graphics prefer the Christian convention. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii]]'', ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* An inherently [[Christianity|Christian]] designation, AD is not generally used in calendars of the traditionally non-Christian world. Consequently, some people use BCE (meaning ''Before Common Era'') for BC and CE (meaning ''Common Era'') as a substitute for AD. These largely cosmetic replacements are thought to avoid religious offence. However, ''[[Doctor Who]]'' fiction has typically remained loyal to the BC/AD convention. Even as late as the [[RTD]] and [[Steven Moffat|Moffat]] eras, dialogue and on-screen graphics prefer the Christian convention. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii]]'', ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'', ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
* In the real world, there is no year zero, so therefore 1 BC is immediately followed by 1 AD. ''Doctor Who'' fiction, however, is unclear as to this point.
* In the real world, there is no year zero, so therefore 1 BC is immediately followed by 1 AD. ''Doctor Who'' fiction, however, is unclear as to this point.
* On this wiki, templates and categories, both of which use, or are used in, mathematical formulae, assume the presence of a year zero, since the fiction of the [[Doctor Who universe|DWU]] allows it. Hence, we deem that the year 2000 is in the 21st century.
* On this wiki, templates and categories, both of which use, or are used in, mathematical formulae, assume the presence of a year zero, since the fiction of the [[Doctor Who universe|DWU]] allows it. Hence, we deem that the year 2000 is in the 21st century.

Revision as of 09:02, 16 September 2012

AD or A.D. was the abbreviated form of Anno Domini. The AD epoch followed either year 0, or the year 1 BC and counted upward. In mathematical terms, it was the positive counterpart to the previous epoch, BC. Adric once referred to this dating method when he informed Tegan that the TARDIS had arrived in the year "2526 in the time scale you call Anno Domini." (TV: Earthshock)

The question of whether the year 0 existed was central to the dispute over whether the year 2000 was the last year of the second millennium or the first year of the third millennium. Different people, like the noted chronologist Professor Wagg (TV: Doctor Who) and even the Eighth Doctor himself (PROSE: Doctor Who - The Novel of the Film) believed AD did start with year 0, because they thought 2000 was the start of the new millennium. The Sixth Doctor (PROSE: Millennial Rites) and Dave Young (PROSE: Escape Velocity) strongly felt otherwise.

Timeline

In general, most humans of the AD era used "BC" to indicate a BC year, but often failed to use "AD" to designate a year from their own epoch. Thus, to take an example, the year 1943 was most commonly understood to be 1943 AD. Decades and centuries were likewise assumed to be AD unless specifically denoted as BC.

Amongst the most significant AD centuries were:

The more significant AD decades were:

Some of the more significant years were:

Behind the scenes

  • An inherently Christian designation, AD is not generally used in calendars of the traditionally non-Christian world. Consequently, some people use BCE (meaning Before Common Era) for BC and CE (meaning Common Era) as a substitute for AD. These largely cosmetic replacements are thought to avoid religious offence. However, Doctor Who fiction has typically remained loyal to the BC/AD convention. Even as late as the RTD and Moffat eras, dialogue and on-screen graphics prefer the Christian convention. (TV: The Fires of Pompeii, The Pandorica Opens, A Good Man Goes to War)
  • In the real world, there is no year zero, so therefore 1 BC is immediately followed by 1 AD. Doctor Who fiction, however, is unclear as to this point.
  • On this wiki, templates and categories, both of which use, or are used in, mathematical formulae, assume the presence of a year zero, since the fiction of the DWU allows it. Hence, we deem that the year 2000 is in the 21st century.

See also

AD