Dionysius Exiguus
Syllabification: (Di·o·ny·si·us Ex·ig·u·us)
Pronunciation: /egˈzigyo͞oəs/
Definition of Dionysius Exiguus
- (died circa 556), Scythian-born monk and scholar. He is noted for developing in 505 the system of dates bc and ad that is still in use today. His calculation of Jesus Christ’s incarnation being 753 years after the founding of Rome has since been shown to be mistaken by several years. He is said to have taken the nickname Exiguus (“little”) as a sign of humility.
