B.C.E. stands for "Before the Common Era." It is a secular way of denoting years before the year 1 in the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today. The B.C.E. system is often used in academic and historical contexts to avoid religious connotations associated with the terms B.C. (Before Christ). The B.C.E. system is part of a larger chronological framework that includes C.E. (Common Era), which refers to years starting from 1 CE. This system allows for a more inclusive approach to dating historical events, making it easier for people of different cultures and beliefs to understand timelines, such as those related to ancient civilizations or historical figures.