What does "M. C." stand for?

Latin Learning Latin
1

Salvete!

In a Latin text (“Encyclopaedia philologiae Graecorum et Romanorum”) I keep stumbling upon the abbreviation “M. C.” in connection with dates. Example:

Hippocrates, e numero Asclepiadum, in insula Cos, > 36. Sec. > M. C.> , ante N. C. 420. an. natus, Heracliti Philosophi assecla, summo acumine ingenii sagacitateque observandi praeditus, & itineribus multis institutis, rerum cognitione ac usu multiplici auctus, artem suam profitebatur in Thracia & Thessalonica, ibique Larissae mortuus, scripta plura, quorum hucdum magnuim est pretium, reliquit;…

Does anyone know what “M. C.” might stand for?

Valete,

Carolus Raeticus

2

It’s probably mundo creato here; the case no doubt varies according to circumstances. N.C. will be natum Christum, I’d imagine.

3

Thank you, Victor,

that, indeed, is probably the answer.

Gratias tibi ago,

Carolus Raeticus