Roman numeration originated, as the name suggests, in Ancient Rome. There are seven basic symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. These symbols were first used between 900 and 800 BC. e.
Numbers were designed to be used as a general method of counting needed to develop relationships and trade. Finger counting got out of control, so to speak, when the count reached 10.
Meaning of Roman numerals
The counting system is believed to have been developed from the human hand.
One line, or I, symbolizes one piece of something, or, respectively, one finger. The V represented five fingers, specifically a V-shape made by the thumb and forefinger. X corresponded to two arms (connected at one point, they form two V).
However, the exact origin of these Roman numerals is unclear. At the same time, changes in their forms from the 3rd century BC are well known. Presented abovethe origin of Roman numerals is based on the widely accepted theory of the history of Roman numeration by the German scholar Theodor Mommsen (1850). However, a study of the inscriptions left by the Etruscans, who ruled Italy before the Latins, shows that the Romans adopted the Etruscan number system starting in the 5th century BC. But there is a clear difference: the Etruscans read their numbers from right to left, while the Romans read them from left to right.
Roman numerals: big numbers derived from other symbols
M=1000. Initially, this value was represented by the Greek letter phi - Φ. Sometimes it was represented as C, I and reversed C: CIƆ, which is vaguely similar to M. Researchers consider it a coincidence that the Latin word mille is used for a thousand.
D=500. The symbol for this number was originally the sign IƆ - half a thousand (CIƆ).
C=100. The original symbol for this number was probably theta (Θ), and later became the letter C.
L=50. Initially, the meaning of this symbol was considered as superimposed V and I or the letter psi - Ψ, smoothed in such a way as to look like an inverted T. Then, eventually, it became like L.
How to read numbers
When numbering with Roman numerals, numbers are formed by combining different letters and finding the sum of these values. The numbers are placed from left to right, and the order of the numbers determines whether values are added or subtracted. If one or more lettersare placed after the letter of greater value, which means that the value is added. If a letter is placed before a larger letter, its value is subtracted. For example, VI=6 because V is greater than I. But IV=4 because I is less than V.
There are a number of other rules related to Roman numerals. For example, you cannot use the same character more than three times in a row. When it comes to subtractable amounts, only powers of 10 such as I, X, or C are subtracted, not V or L. For example, 95 is not VC. 95 is designated as XCV. XC is 100 minus 10 or 90 so XC plus V or 90 plus 5 is 95.
Also, only one number can be subtracted from another. For example, 13 is not IIXV. It is easy to understand how the line of reasoning is built: 15 minus 1 minus 1. But, following the rule, XIII is written instead, or 10 plus 3.
Also, you cannot subtract a number from a number that is more than 10 times the original number. That is, you can subtract 1 from 10 (IX), but you cannot subtract 1 from 100, there is no such number as IC. Instead, write XCIX (XC + IX or 90 + 9). For large numbers in thousands, a bar placed over a letter or string of letters multiplies the value of the digit by 1000.
The biggest numbers
The oldest noteworthy inscription containing Roman numerals representing very large numbers is found on the Rostral Column (ColumnaRostrata), a monument erected in the Roman Forum to commemorate the 260 BC victory over Carthage during the First Punic War. This column contains the symbol 100,000, whichwas an early form of (((I))), repeated 23 times, amounting to 2,300,000. This illustrates not only the early Roman use of repeated characters, but also a custom that extends into modern times: the use of (I) for 1000, (I)) for 10000, (((I))) for 100,000, and ((((I)))) for 1,000,000. The (I) for 1000 often appears in various other forms, including the cursor ∞.
Disadvantages of the Roman numbering system
These figures are not without flaws. For example, there is no symbol for zero, nor is it possible to calculate fractions. This made it difficult to develop a generally accepted complex mathematical system, making it difficult to trade. Eventually, Roman numerals gave way to the more universal Arabic system, where numbers are read as one number in sequence. For example, 435 is four hundred and thirty five.
Using Roman numerals
When the Roman Empire collapsed a thousand years later, Christianity continued to use that culture's population system.
Today, Roman numeration appears in scientific papers and even in film credits. It is used for monarchs, popes, ships, and sporting events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl.
Latin numerals are used in astronomy to designate moons and in chemistry to designate groups on the periodic table. They can be seen in tables of contents and manuscripts, as upper and lower case Roman numerals break information into an easily organized structure. Music theory also uses Roman numerals intheir notation.
These uses are more for aesthetic reasons than for functional purposes. Visually, the Roman numerals convey a sense of history and timelessness, which is especially true in watches.
The direct influence of Rome over such a long period, the superiority of its numerical system over any other simpler known in Europe before the tenth century, and the persuasive strength of tradition explain the strong position that this system maintained for almost 2000 years in trade, in scientific, theological and artistic literature. This had the great advantage that the masses of users needed to remember the meanings of only four letters - V, X, L and C. Moreover, it was easier to see three in III than in 3, and to see eight in VIII than in 8, and, accordingly, it was easier to add numbers, that is, to perform the most basic arithmetic operation.
