Add BCE temporal tags to all documents; add temporal-dating steering doc

rulers/alexander-the-great.md

@@ -4,21 +4,21 @@
 # Alexander the Great
 
 ## Overview
-Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BCE), known as Alexander the Great, conquered the Persian Empire and created one of the largest empires in ancient history, spreading Greek culture from Egypt to India.
+Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BCE), known as Alexander the Great, conquered the Persian Empire and created one of the largest empires in ancient history, spreading Greek culture from Egypt to India. @t[356 BCE..323 BCE]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: 356 BCE, Pella, Macedon
-- Died: 323 BCE, Babylon (age 32)
-- Reign: 336–323 BCE
+- Born: 356 BCE, Pella, Macedon @t[=356 BCE]
+- Died: 323 BCE, Babylon (age 32) @t[=323 BCE]
+- Reign: 336–323 BCE @t[336 BCE..323 BCE]
 - Father: Philip II of Macedon
 - Tutor: Aristotle
 
 ## Major Campaigns
-- Battle of Granicus (334 BCE): First victory against Persia in Anatolia
-- Battle of Issus (333 BCE): Defeated Darius III
-- Siege of Tyre (332 BCE): Seven-month siege of the island city
-- Battle of Gaugamela (331 BCE): Decisive defeat of the Persian Empire [^1]
-- Indian campaign (327–325 BCE): Defeated King Porus at the Hydaspes
+- Battle of Granicus (334 BCE): First victory against Persia in Anatolia @t[=334 BCE]
+- Battle of Issus (333 BCE): Defeated Darius III @t[=333 BCE]
+- Siege of Tyre (332 BCE): Seven-month siege of the island city @t[=332 BCE]
+- Battle of Gaugamela (331 BCE): Decisive defeat of the Persian Empire @t[=331 BCE] [^1]
+- Indian campaign (327–325 BCE): Defeated King Porus at the Hydaspes @t[327 BCE..325 BCE]
 
 ## Legacy
 - Founded over 20 cities, most notably Alexandria in Egypt

rulers/ashoka.md

@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@
 # Ashoka
 
 ## Overview
-Ashoka (~304–232 BCE), also known as Ashoka the Great, was the third Maurya emperor who, after the bloody conquest of Kalinga, converted to Buddhism and promoted non-violence through rock and pillar edicts across the Indian subcontinent. His name means "without sorrow" in Sanskrit. In his edicts he styled himself *Devanampiya Piyadassi* ("Beloved of the Gods, gracious of mien"). [^3]
+Ashoka (~304–232 BCE), also known as Ashoka the Great, was the third Maurya emperor who, after the bloody conquest of Kalinga, converted to Buddhism and promoted non-violence through rock and pillar edicts across the Indian subcontinent. His name means "without sorrow" in Sanskrit. In his edicts he styled himself *Devanampiya Piyadassi* ("Beloved of the Gods, gracious of mien"). @t[304 BCE..232 BCE] [^3]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: ~304 BCE, Pataliputra
-- Died: ~232 BCE
-- Reign: ~268–232 BCE
+- Born: ~304 BCE, Pataliputra @t[~304 BCE]
+- Died: ~232 BCE @t[~232 BCE]
+- Reign: ~268–232 BCE @t[268 BCE..232 BCE]
 - Dynasty: Maurya
 - Religion: Buddhism (after Kalinga War)
 - Father: Bindusara (r. ~297–273 BCE)
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ Ashoka (~304–232 BCE), also known as Ashoka the Great, was the third Maurya em
 - Governed using the *Arthashastra* (political treatise attributed to Chanakya, Chandragupta's prime minister) as his administrative framework [^3]
 
 ## The Kalinga War
-- Conquered Kalinga (~262 BCE) with devastating casualties (~100,000 killed, 150,000 deported per his own edicts)
+- Conquered Kalinga (~262 BCE) with devastating casualties (~100,000 killed, 150,000 deported per his own edicts) @t[~262 BCE]
 - The carnage prompted his conversion to Buddhism [^1]
 - His 13th Major Rock Edict records his remorse over the campaign
 
 ## Ashoka's Edicts
 - 33 inscriptions total on pillars, boulders, and cave walls across the empire [^3]
-- Written in Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic; the Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription (~260 BCE) is carved in both Greek and Aramaic at Chehel Zina, Afghanistan [^2]
+- Written in Prakrit, Greek, and Aramaic; the Kandahar Bilingual Rock Inscription (~260 BCE) is carved in both Greek and Aramaic at Chehel Zina, Afghanistan @t[~260 BCE] [^2]
 - Promoted *dhamma* (dharma): Non-violence, religious tolerance, welfare of subjects
 - Established hospitals for humans and animals
 - Sent Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and the Hellenistic world [^2]

rulers/augustus.md

@@ -2,22 +2,22 @@
 # Augustus
 
 ## Overview
-Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE), born Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman emperor. He transformed Rome from a republic into an empire and inaugurated the Pax Romana. He is considered one of the most effective leaders in Roman history, ruling for over 40 years.
+Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE), born Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman emperor. He transformed Rome from a republic into an empire and inaugurated the Pax Romana. He is considered one of the most effective leaders in Roman history, ruling for over 40 years. @t[63 BCE..14]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: 23 September 63 BCE, Rome [^1]
+- Born: 23 September 63 BCE, Rome @t[=63 BCE] [^1]
 - Died: 19 August 14 CE, Nola @t[=0014] [^1]
-- Reign: 27 BCE – 14 CE [^1]
+- Reign: 27 BCE – 14 CE @t[27 BCE..14] [^1]
 - Original name: Gaius Octavius; adopted as Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus [^1]
-- Title: Augustus ("the revered one"), granted 27 BCE [^1]
-- Wife: Livia Drusilla (married 38 BCE; marriage lasted until his death) [^3]
+- Title: Augustus ("the revered one"), granted 27 BCE @t[=27 BCE] [^1]
+- Wife: Livia Drusilla (married 38 BCE; marriage lasted until his death) @t[=38 BCE] [^3]
 - Children: Julia the Elder (by Scribonia); no biological sons [^3]
 
 ## Rise to Power
-- Adopted heir of Julius Caesar (44 BCE) [^1]
-- Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus (43 BCE) [^1]
-- Battle of Actium (31 BCE): Defeated Antony and Cleopatra [^1]
-- Senate granted him the title Augustus (27 BCE), marking the start of the Principate [^1]
+- Adopted heir of Julius Caesar (44 BCE) @t[=44 BCE] [^1]
+- Second Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus (43 BCE) @t[=43 BCE] [^1]
+- Battle of Actium (31 BCE): Defeated Antony and Cleopatra @t[=31 BCE] [^1]
+- Senate granted him the title Augustus (27 BCE), marking the start of the Principate @t[=27 BCE] [^1]
 
 ## Achievements
 - Pax Romana: Inaugurated ~200 years of relative peace [^2]
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ Augustus (63 BCE – 14 CE), born Gaius Octavius, was the first Roman emperor. H
 - Established the imperial succession system; adopted stepson Tiberius as heir [^3]
 - Month of August named after him [^1]
 - Appointed *pontifex maximus*, becoming both secular and religious head of the empire [^4]
-- Revived traditional Roman religion: restored temples, reintroduced festivals (Lupercalia, Ludi Saeculares in 17 BCE) [^4]
+- Revived traditional Roman religion: restored temples, reintroduced festivals (Lupercalia, Ludi Saeculares in 17 BCE) @t[=17 BCE] [^4]
 - Social and moral reforms: *Lex Julia* legislation incentivized marriage and childbearing, penalized adultery as a civil crime [^4]
-- Established the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), dedicated 9 BCE [^4]
+- Established the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), dedicated 9 BCE @t[=9 BCE] [^4]
 
 ## Succession
 Augustus was succeeded by his adopted stepson Tiberius (14–37 CE), founding the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Subsequent emperors — Caligula, Claudius, and Nero — were all descendants or adoptees within this line. [^3]

rulers/cyrus-the-great.md

@@ -4,18 +4,18 @@
 # Cyrus the Great
 
 ## Overview
-Cyrus II of Persia (~600–530 BCE), known as Cyrus the Great, founded the Achaemenid Persian Empire and is celebrated for his tolerance toward conquered peoples.
+Cyrus II of Persia (~600–530 BCE), known as Cyrus the Great, founded the Achaemenid Persian Empire and is celebrated for his tolerance toward conquered peoples. @t[600 BCE..530 BCE]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: ~600 BCE, Anshan (modern Iran)
-- Died: ~530 BCE (in battle against the Massagetae)
-- Reign: ~559–530 BCE
+- Born: ~600 BCE, Anshan (modern Iran) @t[~600 BCE]
+- Died: ~530 BCE (in battle against the Massagetae) @t[~530 BCE]
+- Reign: ~559–530 BCE @t[559 BCE..530 BCE]
 - Title: King of Kings, King of Anshan, King of Persia, King of Babylon
 
 ## Conquests
-- Defeated the Medes under Astyages (~550 BCE)
-- Conquered Lydia and captured Croesus (~547 BCE)
-- Conquered Babylon (539 BCE) — reportedly entered without a battle [^1]
+- Defeated the Medes under Astyages (~550 BCE) @t[~550 BCE]
+- Conquered Lydia and captured Croesus (~547 BCE) @t[~547 BCE]
+- Conquered Babylon (539 BCE) — reportedly entered without a battle @t[=539 BCE] [^1]
 - Freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity, allowing return to Jerusalem
 
 ## Legacy

rulers/hammurabi.md

@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@
 # Hammurabi
 
 ## Overview
-Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE) was the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty who transformed Babylon from a minor city-state into the dominant power in Mesopotamia. He is best known for the Code of Hammurabi.
+Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE) was the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty who transformed Babylon from a minor city-state into the dominant power in Mesopotamia. He is best known for the Code of Hammurabi. @t[1792 BCE..1750 BCE]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Reign: ~1792–1750 BCE
+- Reign: ~1792–1750 BCE @t[1792 BCE..1750 BCE]
 - Title: King of Babylon
 - Capital: Babylon
 - Dynasty: First Dynasty of Babylon (Amorite)
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE) was the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty
 ## Achievements
 - Inherited a small kingdom (Babylon, Kish, Sippar, Borsippa) and expanded it through military campaigns and diplomacy [^3]
 - Conquered city-states of Larsa, Eshnunna, and Mari; ousted Ishme-Dagan I of Assyria [^3]
-- Issued the Code of Hammurabi (~1754 BCE): 282 laws inscribed on a diorite stele [^1]
+- Issued the Code of Hammurabi (~1754 BCE): 282 laws inscribed on a diorite stele @t[~1754 BCE] [^1]
 - Improved irrigation systems and infrastructure
 - Established Marduk as the supreme deity of Babylon
 

rulers/julius-caesar.md

@@ -4,24 +4,24 @@
 # Julius Caesar
 
 ## Overview
-Gaius Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE) was a Roman general, statesman, and dictator whose conquest of Gaul and crossing of the Rubicon precipitated the end of the Roman Republic.
+Gaius Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE) was a Roman general, statesman, and dictator whose conquest of Gaul and crossing of the Rubicon precipitated the end of the Roman Republic. @t[100 BCE..44 BCE]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: 100 BCE, Rome
-- Died: 15 March 44 BCE, Rome (assassinated)
-- Offices: Consul (59 BCE), Dictator perpetuo (44 BCE)
-- Military: Conquered Gaul (58–50 BCE)
+- Born: 100 BCE, Rome @t[=100 BCE]
+- Died: 15 March 44 BCE, Rome (assassinated) @t[=44 BCE]
+- Offices: Consul (59 BCE), Dictator perpetuo (44 BCE) @t[=59 BCE]
+- Military: Conquered Gaul (58–50 BCE) @t[58 BCE..50 BCE]
 
 ## Major Events
-- Gallic Wars (58–50 BCE): Conquered Gaul, invaded Britain [^1]
-- First Triumvirate: Alliance with Pompey and Crassus (60 BCE)
-- Crossing the Rubicon (49 BCE): Triggered civil war against Pompey
-- Battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE): Defeated Pompey
-- Appointed dictator perpetuo (February 44 BCE)
-- Assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March 44 BCE) by Brutus, Cassius, and other senators [^2]
+- Gallic Wars (58–50 BCE): Conquered Gaul, invaded Britain @t[58 BCE..50 BCE] [^1]
+- First Triumvirate: Alliance with Pompey and Crassus (60 BCE) @t[=60 BCE]
+- Crossing the Rubicon (49 BCE): Triggered civil war against Pompey @t[=49 BCE]
+- Battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE): Defeated Pompey @t[=48 BCE]
+- Appointed dictator perpetuo (February 44 BCE) @t[=44 BCE]
+- Assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March 44 BCE) by Brutus, Cassius, and other senators @t[=44 BCE] [^2]
 
 ## Legacy
-- Julian calendar reform (46 BCE)
+- Julian calendar reform (46 BCE) @t[=46 BCE]
 - Granted citizenship to many provincials
 - His adopted heir Octavian became Augustus, first Roman emperor
 - Month of July named after him

rulers/pericles.md

@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@
 Pericles (Greek: Περικλῆς, "surrounded by glory"; ~495–429 BCE) was an Athenian statesman and general who led Athens during its Golden Age, championing democracy, arts, and the construction of the Parthenon. Thucydides, his contemporary, acclaimed him "the first citizen of Athens." [^2]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: ~495 BCE, Athens
-- Died: 429 BCE, Athens (plague)
-- Role: Strategos (general), elected repeatedly ~443–429 BCE
+- Born: ~495 BCE, Athens @t[~495 BCE]
+- Died: 429 BCE, Athens (plague) @t[=429 BCE]
+- Role: Strategos (general), elected repeatedly ~443–429 BCE @t[443 BCE..429 BCE]
 - Political alignment: Democratic faction
 - Family: Son of Xanthippus (general, hero of the Persian Wars) and Agariste (niece of Cleisthenes; Alcmaeonidae clan) [^1]
 
@@ -15,21 +15,21 @@ Pericles (Greek: Περικλῆς, "surrounded by glory"; ~495–429 BCE) was a
 - Descended from the aristocratic Alcmaeonidae family through his mother Agariste [^1]
 - Music teacher: Damon of Oa (though Aristotle names Pythoclides); Damon was later ostracized partly due to his association with Pericles [^1]
 - Intellectual mentor: Anaxagoras, the philosopher, who shaped Pericles' rationalist outlook [^1]
-- As a young man (~472 BCE), funded the production of Aeschylus's *The Persae* as choregos [^1]
+- As a young man (~472 BCE), funded the production of Aeschylus's *The Persae* as choregos @t[~472 BCE] [^1]
 
 ## Rise to Power
-- Aligned with Ephialtes to curtail the powers of the Areopagus (~462–461 BCE), marking the start of radical Athenian democracy [^2]
-- Led the prosecution of Cimon in 463 BCE; Cimon was ostracized in 461 BCE, clearing the path for Pericles' dominance [^2]
-- After Ephialtes' assassination (461 BCE), became the preeminent leader of Athens
-- The period of his leadership (~461–429 BCE) is known as the "Age of Pericles" [^2]
+- Aligned with Ephialtes to curtail the powers of the Areopagus (~462–461 BCE), marking the start of radical Athenian democracy @t[462 BCE..461 BCE] [^2]
+- Led the prosecution of Cimon in 463 BCE; Cimon was ostracized in 461 BCE, clearing the path for Pericles' dominance @t[=463 BCE] [^2]
+- After Ephialtes' assassination (461 BCE), became the preeminent leader of Athens @t[=461 BCE]
+- The period of his leadership (~461–429 BCE) is known as the "Age of Pericles" @t[461 BCE..429 BCE] [^2]
 
 ## Achievements
 - Expanded Athenian democracy: Introduced pay for jury service, opening participation to poorer citizens [^1]
-- Citizenship law (451 BCE): Restricted Athenian citizenship to those born of two Athenian citizen parents [^1]
-- Commissioned the Parthenon and other Acropolis buildings (~447–432 BCE) [^1]
+- Citizenship law (451 BCE): Restricted Athenian citizenship to those born of two Athenian citizen parents @t[=451 BCE] [^1]
+- Commissioned the Parthenon and other Acropolis buildings (~447–432 BCE) @t[447 BCE..432 BCE] [^1]
 - Led the Delian League, transforming it into an Athenian empire [^2]
 - Funded free theater access for all citizens, reinforcing cultural and civic participation [^1]
-- Funeral Oration (431 BCE): Celebrated Athenian democracy and values [^2]
+- Funeral Oration (431 BCE): Celebrated Athenian democracy and values @t[=431 BCE] [^2]
 
 ## Personal Life
 - Companion: Aspasia of Miletus, an intellectual and rhetorician; could not legally marry her under his own citizenship law [^1]
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ Pericles (Greek: Περικλῆς, "surrounded by glory"; ~495–429 BCE) was a
 
 ## Peloponnesian War
 - His defensive strategy against Sparta (retreating behind the Long Walls) led to overcrowding in Athens [^2]
-- Plague of Athens (430–426 BCE) killed ~25% of the population, including Pericles himself in 429 BCE [^2]
+- Plague of Athens (430–426 BCE) killed ~25% of the population, including Pericles himself in 429 BCE @t[430 BCE..426 BCE] [^2]
 - Was tried and fined by the Athenians during the war, then re-elected strategos shortly before his death [^2]
 
 ---

rulers/qin-shi-huang.md

@@ -4,29 +4,29 @@
 # Qin Shi Huang
 
 ## Overview
-Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE) was the first emperor of a unified China, founding the Qin dynasty and establishing centralized imperial governance that would endure for over two millennia.
+Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE) was the first emperor of a unified China, founding the Qin dynasty and establishing centralized imperial governance that would endure for over two millennia. @t[259 BCE..210 BCE]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: 259 BCE, State of Zhao
-- Died: 210 BCE (age 49)
-- Reign as emperor: 221–210 BCE
+- Born: 259 BCE, State of Zhao @t[=259 BCE]
+- Died: 210 BCE (age 49) @t[=210 BCE]
+- Reign as emperor: 221–210 BCE @t[221 BCE..210 BCE]
 - Original name: Ying Zheng
 - Dynasty: Qin
 
 ## Achievements
-- Unified the Warring States into a single empire (221 BCE) [^1]
+- Unified the Warring States into a single empire (221 BCE) @t[=221 BCE] [^1]
 - Standardized weights, measures, currency, and writing across China
 - Began construction of the Great Wall by linking existing fortifications
 - Built an extensive road and canal network
 - Terracotta Army: ~8,000 life-sized warrior figures guarding his mausoleum, discovered 1974 [^2]
 
 ## Controversies
-- Burning of books and burying of scholars (~213–212 BCE)
+- Burning of books and burying of scholars (~213–212 BCE) @t[213 BCE..212 BCE]
 - Harsh Legalist governance
 - Massive forced labor for construction projects
 
 ## Legacy
-The Qin dynasty collapsed shortly after his death (206 BCE), but his unification model was adopted by the succeeding Han dynasty.
+The Qin dynasty collapsed shortly after his death (206 BCE), but his unification model was adopted by the succeeding Han dynasty. @t[=206 BCE]
 
 ---
 [^1]: Sima Qian, *Records of the Grand Historian* (*Shiji*)

rulers/ramesses-ii.md

@@ -2,20 +2,20 @@
 # Ramesses II
 
 ## Overview
-Ramesses II (~1303–1213 BCE), also known as Ramesses the Great, was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and one of the most powerful and celebrated rulers of ancient Egypt. His Egyptian regnal name was Usermaatre Setepenre; in ancient Greek sources he is called Ozymandias, derived from the first part of that name. [^3]
+Ramesses II (~1303–1213 BCE), also known as Ramesses the Great, was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and one of the most powerful and celebrated rulers of ancient Egypt. His Egyptian regnal name was Usermaatre Setepenre; in ancient Greek sources he is called Ozymandias, derived from the first part of that name. @t[1303 BCE..1213 BCE] [^3]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Born: ~1303 BCE
-- Reign: ~1279–1213 BCE (66 years, one of the longest in Egyptian history)
+- Born: ~1303 BCE @t[~1303 BCE]
+- Reign: ~1279–1213 BCE (66 years, one of the longest in Egyptian history) @t[1279 BCE..1213 BCE]
 - Dynasty: 19th Dynasty, New Kingdom
 - Capital: Pi-Ramesses (Nile Delta)
-- Died: ~1213 BCE, age ~90
+- Died: ~1213 BCE, age ~90 @t[~1213 BCE]
 - Principal wife: Nefertari (Nefertari Meritmut)
 - Tomb: KV7, Valley of the Kings
 
 ## Major Events
-- Battle of Kadesh (~1274 BCE): Fought the Hittites under Muwatalli II; indecisive but claimed as victory [^1]
-- Treaty of Kadesh (~1259 BCE): Signed peace with Hittite king Hattusili III; sealed by a diplomatic marriage to a Hittite princess
+- Battle of Kadesh (~1274 BCE): Fought the Hittites under Muwatalli II; indecisive but claimed as victory @t[~1274 BCE] [^1]
+- Treaty of Kadesh (~1259 BCE): Signed peace with Hittite king Hattusili III; sealed by a diplomatic marriage to a Hittite princess @t[~1259 BCE]
 - Led at least 15 military campaigns in the Levant, reasserting Egyptian control over Canaan and Phoenicia [^3]
 - Led multiple campaigns into Nubia, commemorated in inscriptions at Beit el-Wali and Gerf Hussein [^3]
 - Built Abu Simbel temples in Nubia

rulers/sargon-of-akkad.md

@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@
 # Sargon of Akkad
 
 ## Overview
-Sargon of Akkad (~2334–2279 BCE) founded the Akkadian Empire, the first empire in recorded history. His rise from humble origins to ruler of all Mesopotamia became legendary.
+Sargon of Akkad (~2334–2279 BCE) founded the Akkadian Empire, the first empire in recorded history. His rise from humble origins to ruler of all Mesopotamia became legendary. @t[2334 BCE..2279 BCE]
 
 ## Key Facts
-- Reign: ~2334–2279 BCE
+- Reign: ~2334–2279 BCE @t[2334 BCE..2279 BCE]
 - Title: King of Akkad, King of Kish, King of the Four Quarters
 - Capital: Akkad (location undiscovered)
 - Empire: United Sumerian and Akkadian city-states