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Cited by 190Historical Astronomy and Related StudiesByzantine Studies and HistoryBiblical Studies and Interpretation

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The Easter Computus and the Origins of the Christian Era

Mosshammer, Alden A.·2008·Oxford University Press
DOI 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543120.001.0001
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Abstract

Abstract Dionysius Exiguus composed a 95‐year list of Easter dates beginning in what he designates as the year 532 from Christ. His list was a continuation of an Alexandrian table that ended in the year 247 from Diocletian. How Dionysius knew that 247 Diocletian should be followed by the year 532 of the Lord has puzzled scholars for almost 1500 years. His year AD 1 seems inconsistent with the evidence of the New Testament for the chronology of Christ. This book argues that Dionysius did not calculate a new date at all. He adopted the Christian era of Julius Africanus, which was based on a date for the crucifixion in AD 31 and the assumption that Jesus was 30 years old at that time. This date was transmitted to Dionysius Exiguus through the Easter calculations of Alexandria. About the same time, the Armenian church adopted a national era whose first year they synchronized with the year 553 from Christ. This Armenian Christian era agrees with that of Dionysius, but adjusted to the Armenian calendar. The Armenians received this numbering of the years from Christ independently from Dionysius, through the Alexandrian Easter tables.

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Metadata

Authors
Mosshammer, A. A.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Mosshammer, Alden A.
Venue
Oxford University Press
Publisher
Oxford University PressOxford
Published
2008-10-16
DOI
10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543120.001.0001
OpenAlex
W2506551345
Cited by
189
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 33
FWCI
1.32
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
closed
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Historical Astronomy and Related Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Classics › Byzantine Studies and History
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Biblical Studies and Interpretation
Keywords
Dionysius Exiguus, computus, Christian era, Anno Domini, Julius Africanus

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