1aD

1 AD, commonly written as year 1 CE in modern usage, is the first year of the Anno Domini era in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. In this dating system there is no year zero; 1 BCE is followed directly by 1 AD. The year 1 AD was a common year of 365 days in the Julian calendar and falls in the early part of the Roman Empire, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, a period often described as Pax Romana, marked by relative stability and widespread Roman influence around the Mediterranean.

Historical records specific to this exact year are sparse. Broadly, the era reflects continued consolidation of Roman authority in Italy and the western provinces, along with sustained trade and cultural exchange within the empire. In the broader world of the period, contemporary civilizations included parts of Parthian and Han China, with limited direct interaction compared with later centuries.

Religious and cultural significance: the traditional date of Jesus’s birth is not fixed at 1 AD; most scholars place it a few years earlier, typically between 4 BCE and 6 CE, with estimates varying. The 1st century CE later became notable for the spread of Christianity, developments in Roman administration and law, and broader historical dynamics across Europe, the Near East, and parts of Asia.

Modern usage and terminology: AD stands for Anno Domini, while CE stands for Common Era; many modern contexts use CE/BCE as a non-sectarian alternative. The year 1 is also used to anchor discussions of the first century in historical and archaeological work.