CE = “Common Era,” and BCE = “Before the Common Era”
It’s a weak attempt to conceal the fact that the dividing line is (a guess at) the date of the birth of Jesus.
66-70 means they got the thing built just in time for the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem and mass deportations after the first Jewish Revolt.
“Weak attempt”
Nah, just the Jewish convention. We’re stubborn.
Hey— maybe the got the dates mixed up and it’s really a “Baptizing Pool” of sorts. Now, where the heck could those who baptize have gotten such an idea? Hmmmm.... Let me go dunk in my ritualistic, scripturally-ordained Jew pool and ponder the potential source...