Provided is a dielectric ceramic which exhibits desired high temperature load resistance characteristics even under a high electric field strength on the order of 15 kV/mm. The dielectric ceramic contains, as its main constituent, a perovskite compound represented by the general formula (Ba1-h-i-mCahSriGdm)k(Ti1-y-j-n-o-pZryHfjMgnZnoMnp)O3, 0≦h≦0.03, 0≦i≦0.03; 0.042≦m≦0.074; 0.94≦k≦1.075; 0≦(y+j)≦0.05; 0.015≦n≦0.07; 0≦o≦0.04; 0≦p≦0.05; and 1.0