Legal Definitions - anno ante Christum

Anno ante Christum (A.A.C.) and Anno ante Christum natum (A.A.C.N.) are Latin phrases used to specify a year that occurred before the traditional start of the Christian calendar. Both phrases convey the same meaning: "in the year before Christ" or "in the year before the birth of Christ." They serve the same purpose as the more commonly recognized abbreviations B.C. (Before Christ) or BCE (Before Common Era), providing a precise historical reference point for events from antiquity, particularly in academic and historical legal contexts.

• Example 1: Dating Ancient Legal Codes
  A legal historian studying the origins of written law might refer to the creation of the Code of Ur-Nammu, one of the oldest known law codes from ancient Mesopotamia, as occurring around 2100 anno ante Christum.

  Explanation: This example illustrates how the term is used to precisely date a foundational legal document from a period long before the Christian era, placing it within its correct historical context for legal scholarship.

• Example 2: Historical Legal Events
  When discussing the legendary founding of the city of Rome, a significant event in the development of Roman law and governance, a historical text might state that it took place in 753 anno ante Christum natum.

  Explanation: This demonstrates the term's application in dating pivotal historical events that laid the groundwork for major legal systems, providing a clear chronological marker for ancient history.

• Example 3: Archaeological Discoveries with Legal Relevance
  Archaeologists unearthing a site in ancient Egypt might discover papyrus scrolls detailing property disputes or contracts from the reign of a pharaoh, dating these documents to approximately 1550 anno ante Christum.

  Explanation: This shows how the term is used to date physical evidence of ancient legal practices, such as contracts or court records, providing a specific historical timeframe for understanding legal systems of the distant past.