there are two “groups” of years. CE (common era) and BCE (before common era, also known as BC for “before christ”). we are currently in CE. There is no year zero, so 2023 years ago would be 1 BCE, and 2024 years ago would be 2 BCE. BCE years count up as you move into the past, and CE years count up as you move into the future. when you see something referred to as happening in, say, 500 BCE, that is 500 years before the common era, or 2523 years in the past.
there are two “groups” of years. CE (common era) and BCE (before common era, also known as BC for “before christ”). we are currently in CE. There is no year zero, so 2023 years ago would be 1 BCE, and 2024 years ago would be 2 BCE. BCE years count up as you move into the past, and CE years count up as you move into the future. when you see something referred to as happening in, say, 500 BCE, that is 500 years before the common era, or 2523 years in the past.