What are some historical facts about the Roman numeral system?

Answer 1

1 It was first created by the Etruscans who once had influence over the Romans

2 It was adapted by the Romans using different symbols

3 It once was worked out on an abacus calculating device

4 It at the time was the most advanced numeracy system in the known ancient world

5 It was used by Julius Caesar to create a 12 month calendar

6 It was and still is used by VIPs to nominate their titles

7 It once used j at the end of numerals to prevent fraud

8 It used fractions to a limited extent as for example S = 1/2 or 0.5

9 It once was quite easily capable of the four operations of arithmetic

10 It rules now governing it were gradually introduced during the Middle Ages

11 It was eventually superseded by the Hindu-Arabic numeral system

12 It never used IV for 4 for fear of offending the Roman god Jupiter

13 Its equivalent of 19 is now XIX but once it was XVIIII or IXX

14 Its Latin word for XVIIII was 'novemdecim' meaning nineteen

15 Its Latin word for IXX was 'undeviginti' meaning one from twenty

16 Its Latin word for XIX never existed

17 It once was abridged to IMM for 1999 but now it is considered to be MCMXCIX

18 It once was XIIII for 14 but now it is considered to be XIV

19 Its Latin word for XIIII was 'quattuordecim' meaning 14 but no Latin word for XIV

20 Its true simple historical facts and original rules confuses academics even today

21 Its main numerals were and are: M, D, C, L, X, V, and I

22 It never needed a zero symbol because place value of numerals are self evident

23 It's used on a USA one dollar bill in the form of MDCCLXXVI representing 1776

QED