AUC

  • AUC is an acronym for Ab urbe condita meaning ‘from the founding of the City’ (of Rome).
  • The Romans believed the city of Rome was founded on 21st April 753 BCE on the Palatine Hill by Romulus.

Festival of Palilia

  • On the 21st April, every year, the Festival of Palilia was held to celebrate Rome’s birthday or Dies Natalis of Rome.
  • This was changed by Hadrian in 121 CE to become the festival of ‘Dies Natalis Urbis’ or the ‘birthday of the city’.

Dies Natalis of Rome

  • In 121 CE, Hadrian organised circus games in the Circus Maximus to celebrate the 874th anniversary of the birthday of Rome.
  • Hadrian changed the name of the festival of Palilia to the festival of ‘Dies Natalis Urbis’ meaning ‘birthday of the city’.

Rome’s Millemium (1,000 AUC)

Other Dating Systems

  • Anno Domini
  • Common Era
    • Common Era (CE) and Before Common Era (BCE) is an alternative notation to the Anno Domini dating System.

Rome

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