The term _era_ (not _æra_, as incorrectly written) is Spanish,
signifying time, as in the phrase, _de era en era_, “from time to time.”
It was first used in the _Era Hispanica_, instituted B. C. 38, in honour
of Augustus, when Spain was allotted to him in the distribution of the
provinces among the second triumvirate, Augustus, Anthony, and Lepidus.
It now usually denotes an indefinite series of years, beginning from
some known epoch; and so differs from a period which is a definite
series: as the era of the foundation of Rome, the era of the Olympiads,
the era of Nabonassar, &c. See EPOCH.
signifying time, as in the phrase, _de era en era_, “from time to time.”
It was first used in the _Era Hispanica_, instituted B. C. 38, in honour
of Augustus, when Spain was allotted to him in the distribution of the
provinces among the second triumvirate, Augustus, Anthony, and Lepidus.
It now usually denotes an indefinite series of years, beginning from
some known epoch; and so differs from a period which is a definite
series: as the era of the foundation of Rome, the era of the Olympiads,
the era of Nabonassar, &c. See EPOCH.