Ab urbe condita meaning

Ab urbe condita means "from the founding of the city" in Latin.


Ab urbe condita definitions

Word backwards ba ebru atidnoc
Part of speech "Ab urbe condita" is a Latin phrase and can be classified as a prepositional phrase.
Syllabic division ab ur·be con·di·ta
Plural The plural of "ab urbe condita" is "ab urbibus conditis."
Total letters 13
Vogais (5) a,u,e,o,i
Consonants (6) b,r,c,n,d,t

Ab urbe condita is a Latin term that translates to “from the founding of the city.” It refers to the traditional dating system used by ancient Romans to mark the number of years since the founding of Rome. This dating method was introduced by the Roman historian Livy in his work Ab Urbe Condita, which chronicled the history of Rome from its legendary foundation in 753 BC to the reign of Augustus Caesar.

Origin and Meaning

The term "ab urbe condita" signifies the establishment of Rome as a city and serves as a point of reference for dating events in Roman history. It is often abbreviated as AUC, with years counted from the traditional date of the city's founding by Romulus. This dating system was widely used in Roman works and inscriptions, providing a chronological framework for historical events.

Usage and Legacy

Although the ab urbe condita dating system fell out of favor in the post-Roman period, it remains valuable for understanding ancient Roman chronology. The AUC method is still referenced in historical works dealing with Roman history, offering insight into the passage of time and the dating of significant events in the development of the Roman Empire.

Ab urbe condita provides a unique perspective on Roman history, offering a different chronological structure compared to the more familiar BC/AD dating system. By using the foundation of Rome as a starting point, it highlights the significance of the city's establishment in shaping the course of Western civilization.

Overall, ab urbe condita continues to be a valuable tool for historians and scholars studying ancient Rome, allowing for a deeper understanding of the passage of time and the historical context of key events in Roman history. Its legacy lives on as a testament to the enduring impact of Rome on the world.


Ab urbe condita Examples

  1. The Roman Empire was founded in 753 BC ab urbe condita.
  2. The historian Livy wrote extensively about the history ab urbe condita.
  3. The event took place in the year 70 ab urbe condita.
  4. The phrase ab urbe condita translates to "from the founding of the city."
  5. Scholars debate the accuracy of the ab urbe condita dating system.
  6. The temple was built in the year 300 ab urbe condita.
  7. The tradition of counting years ab urbe condita originated in ancient Rome.
  8. The history book covers events up to the year 500 ab urbe condita.
  9. The timeline starts at 1 ab urbe condita and continues to the present day.
  10. The anniversary of Rome's founding is celebrated as 1 ab urbe condita.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 23/03/2024 - 22:07:19