Calenders

Oldest Calendars of the world

4,750 BCE

CultureCurrent YearStart YearStart Day of the YearReason for Start of Counting
Assyrian67744750 BCENisanu 1 (April)Traditional starting date of the Assyrian calendar
Ancient EgyptianHistorical4241 BCEThoth 1 (varies, traditionally July 19 in the Julian calendar)Traditional founding date, possibly linked to the first dynasties
Jewish5784-57853761 BCERosh Hashanah (varies, Tishrei 1)Anno Mundi (AM) – Creation of the world according to Jewish tradition
Mayan51283114 BCEVaries (depends on the system)Mythical creation date in the Mayan Long Count calendar
Chinese47222637 BCEChinese New Year (varies, January/February)Legendary founding of the Chinese calendar by Emperor Huangdi
Berber (Amazigh)2974950 BCEYennayer (January 12/13)Assyrian King Shoshenq I’s ascension to power
Roman (AUC)2777753 BCEJanuary 1 (post-reform)Founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus
Ancient Greek (Seleucid Era)2336312 BCEOctober 1Establishment of the Seleucid Empire by Seleucus I Nicator
Hindu (Vikram Samvat)2080-208157 BCEKartik 1 (October/November)Victory of King Vikramaditya over the Sakas
Buddhist2567544 BCEVesak (April/May, varies by region)Year of Buddha’s Parinirvana (death and final enlightenment)
Nordic (Norse)VariesEarly Iron Age (pre-0 AD)Yule (midwinter solstice, around December 21)Based on lunar months and seasonal cycles
Ethiopian2016-20178 CEEnkutatash (September 11/12)Commemoration of the Annunciation of Jesus
Zoroastrian (Yazdegerdi Era)1393-1394632 CENowruz (March 20/21)Ascension of Yazdegerd III to the throne
Coptic1740-1741284 CEThoth 1 (September 11/12)Start of the Diocletian era

Notes on These Calendars:

  • Assyrian Calendar: The traditional starting date of the Assyrian calendar is 4750 BCE.
  • Ancient Egyptian Calendar: The traditional start date is around 4241 BCE, often associated with early dynasties. Its current use is mainly historical.
  • Jewish Calendar: The year 3761 BCE is calculated based on the creation of the world according to Jewish tradition.
  • Mayan Calendar: The Long Count calendar starts from a mythical creation date in 3114 BCE.
  • Chinese Calendar: The start year is 2637 BCE, linked to the legendary Emperor Huangdi.
  • Berber (Amazigh) Calendar: The start year of 950 BCE is linked to the ascension of the Assyrian King Shoshenq I.
  • Roman (AUC) Calendar: The start year is 753 BCE, based on the founding of Rome.
  • Ancient Greek (Seleucid Era): The start year is 312 BCE, marking the establishment of the Seleucid Empire.
  • Hindu (Vikram Samvat) Calendar: The start year is 57 BCE, marking the victory of King Vikramaditya over the Sakas.
  • Buddhist Calendar: The start year is 544 BCE, commemorating the Buddha’s Parinirvana.
  • Nordic (Norse) Calendar: Early Iron Age (pre-0 AD), with Yule around December 21.
  • Ethiopian Calendar: The start year is 8 CE, commemorating the Annunciation of Jesus.
  • Zoroastrian (Yazdegerdi Era): The start year is 632 CE, marking the ascension of Yazdegerd III.
  • Coptic Calendar: The start year is 284 CE, marking the beginning of the Diocletian era.

Ancient Egyptian Calendar

The ancient Egyptian calendar, one of the oldest known calendars, began around 4241 BCE. It was a solar calendar with 365 days divided into 12 months of 30 days each, plus 5 extra days at the end of the year. This calendar was used in ancient Egypt and does not have a continuous counting system in use today.

Coptic Calendar

The Coptic calendar, also known as the Alexandrian calendar, is used by the Coptic Orthodox Church and is based on the ancient Egyptian calendar but starts from the year 284 CE, marking the beginning of the Diocletian era.

To clarify the table, we’ll focus on the ancient Egyptian calendar’s original start date and note that its current use is mainly historical, while the Coptic calendar has a different start point and current year.

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