A Brief History of Centuries: From Babylon to the Present Day

A century is a period of 100 years. The word "century" comes from the Latin word "centuria,” meaning "a group of one hundred." In Roman times, a centuria was a unit of the Roman army that consisted of one hundred soldiers. Therefore, "century" was later used to refer to one hundred years.

Centuries are also used to divide and organize calendars. The Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar system in the world today, has 100 years in each century. The first century started in the year 1 AD and ended in the year 100 AD. The second century started in the year 101 AD and ended in the year 200 AD. And so on. The current century is the 21st century, which began in 2001 AD and will end in 2100 AD.

Centuries are not always 100 years long because the Earth's orbit around the sun is not exactly 365.25 days long. The Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar today, adds a leap day every four years but skips a leap day every 100 years, except for years divisible by 400. This means the Gregorian calendar is only off by about 26 seconds yearly.

Centuries are not always numbered consecutively. For example, the first century AD is sometimes called the first Christian century, and the second century AD is sometimes called the second Christian century. This is because the Christian calendar begins with the birth of Jesus Christ.

We use centuries to measure and compare historical events, social changes, and cultural developments. For example, the Renaissance was a period of significant change in Europe that lasted from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The Industrial Revolution was a tremendous technological and economic change from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries. We also can talk about the 20th century as the era of industrialization, globalization, and two world wars. We can also talk about the 21st century as the era of digitalization, environmentalism, and pandemics.

Centuries can help us understand humanity's past, present, and future. By studying the events and trends that happened in different centuries, we can learn from history and appreciate the diversity and complexity of human civilization. Living in a particular century allows us to experience the challenges and opportunities that shape our society and culture. We can envision the possibilities and scenarios that await us by imagining the next century.

The Concept of a Century in ancient civilizations

The origin of the concept of a century is unclear, but it is believed to have been used by ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. The use of centuries has significantly impacted how we view history, providing a framework for categorizing historical events and understanding patterns and trends that have occurred over long periods.

Babylonians used Sars.

The concept of a century being 100 years is believed to have originated in ancient Babylonia. The Babylonians utilized a lunisolar calendar, which was based on both the moon and sun cycles. The year was composed of 12 months, containing 29 or 30 days, for 354 days. The Babylonians added an extra month every few years to keep the calendar aligned with the seasons.

The Babylonians divided their calendar into units of 100 years, which they called sars. The first sar began with the world's creation, and each subsequent sar ended with a significant flood. The Babylonians believed there had been 10 sars before their time and that they lived in the 11th sar.

The sar was a significant time unit in Babylonian culture. It measured historical periods and astronomical events associated with natural disasters and political upheavals.

The Babylonians' use of the sar is an example of their advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics and a testament to their rich history.

The Greeks used Hekatontaetia.

The Greeks divided their calendar into units of 100 years, which they called hekatontaetia, meaning "100 years" in Greek. The word comes from the Greek words hekaton, meaning "one hundred," and etos, meaning "year.”

The Greeks borrowed the idea of a century from the Babylonians to measure historical periods. They believed that 10 hekatontaetia had passed before their time and were living in the 11th.

The hekatontaetia was a significant unit of time in Greek culture. It was used to measure historical periods and astronomical events. In addition, the Greeks believed it was a great change and upheaval period, often associated with natural disasters and political turmoil.

The use of the hekatontaetia by the Greeks demonstrated their advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics and their rich history.

The Olympiad, a period of four years, eventually replaced the hekatontaetia. The Olympiad measured historical periods and important events, such as the Olympic Games. Historians and archaeologists still use the Olympiad today.

The Romans used Saecula.

Originally a religious term, the Romans used the word saeculum to mean "age" or "generation." It later became a general term to refer to any period. The Romans divided their history into saecula, each lasting 110 years. They also used centuries to measure time and to divide their military units. The first saeculum began with Rome's founding in 753 BC, while the last saeculum ended with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.

The saecula were used to track history and mark significant events. They were also used to calculate astronomical events such as eclipses and comets. The saecula were an integral part of Roman culture and shaped how they viewed the world.

The saecula were also used to celebrate important events. For example, in 17 BC, Emperor Augustus celebrated the Ludi saeculares, or "Saecular Games," to mark the start of the fifth saeculum of Rome. These games were a grand spectacle featuring sacrifices, games, and public feasting, and were a way for Augustus to display the power and wealth of the Roman Empire.

Fun Facts About Century

Here are some fun facts about centuries:

• The concept of dividing history into periods of 100 years each is relatively recent. The first known use of the term "century" to refer to 100 years was in 1660.

• The years 2001-2100 are technically the 21st century, not the 20th century, as some people mistakenly believe. This is because the first century AD started with the year 1, not the year 0.

• There are 175 years in a quarter century, 50 years in a half-century, and 75 years in a three-quarters century.

• The 20th century was a time of great change and upheaval, marked by two world wars and the Cold War.

• The 21st century has been a time of great technological advancement, with the rise of the internet, mobile phones, and social media.

The Bottom Line:

The concept of a century has influenced how we view and understand history, from measuring and comparing events to categorizing historical periods. By studying the events and trends that happened in different centuries, we can learn from history and appreciate the diversity and complexity of human civilization.

Centuries can help us understand humanity's past, present, and future and mark important milestones and anniversaries. From Babylon to the present day, the concept of a century has stood the test of time and will continue to shape how we view the world for centuries to come.