03-16-2004, 08:55 AM
Hi Togaman,<br>
<br>
Why did the first century have only 99 years? I think this is a very common misconception: the first century started in year 1 (today we would say january 1st, 1 AD) and ended at the end of the last day of year 100 AD.<br>
<br>
It's like counting to 10, you don't start at 0, and you don't stop at 9 either. the first century ran from 1 to 100, the seconf from 101 to 200, etc.<br>
<br>
However, the year 0 is as much a misconception as thinking Medieval man and Church thought the world was flat. Urban mythology, as it were, and very difficult to root out. Therefore, all the Millennium celebrations on december 31st 1999 were a year early, and us concentious/nitpicking historians duly celebrated the start of the third millennium of the Christian Era on december 31st, 2000 AD.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Why did the first century have only 99 years? I think this is a very common misconception: the first century started in year 1 (today we would say january 1st, 1 AD) and ended at the end of the last day of year 100 AD.<br>
<br>
It's like counting to 10, you don't start at 0, and you don't stop at 9 either. the first century ran from 1 to 100, the seconf from 101 to 200, etc.<br>
<br>
However, the year 0 is as much a misconception as thinking Medieval man and Church thought the world was flat. Urban mythology, as it were, and very difficult to root out. Therefore, all the Millennium celebrations on december 31st 1999 were a year early, and us concentious/nitpicking historians duly celebrated the start of the third millennium of the Christian Era on december 31st, 2000 AD.<br>
<br>
Valete,<br>
Valerius/Robert <p></p><i></i>
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
