2bc

2 BC, also written as 2 BCE, is a year in the pre-common era of the Julian and Gregorian calendars. In this system there is no year zero; the sequence goes 2 BC, 1 BC, AD 1. The designation is used in historical writing, archaeology, and chronologies to specify dates before the start of the common era.

The year falls within the early Roman Empire, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and across various parts of the Mediterranean world, though precise local events vary by region. In the Roman world, the period was characterized by consolidation of imperial authority, administrative reforms, and ongoing construction projects.

Astronomical year numbering can represent 2 BC as year 0, while the traditional BCE/BC notation uses 2 BC. This can be relevant for historians performing long timelines or astronomical calculations that require a continuous timeline.

In contemporary usage, BCE (before common era) and CE (common era) notation is preferred in scholarly contexts to avoid religious implications. The numeric label 2 BC is sometimes seen in historical tables, inscriptions, or digital databases that categorize events by year.