Trex202@lemmy.world to Showerthoughts@lemmy.world · 3 days agoRoman numerals could be based on what your hand looks like when you count.message-squaremessage-square30fedilinkarrow-up172arrow-down112file-text
arrow-up160arrow-down1message-squareRoman numerals could be based on what your hand looks like when you count.Trex202@lemmy.world to Showerthoughts@lemmy.world · 3 days agomessage-square30fedilinkfile-text
minus-squarestoly@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up9·edit-22 days agoMasters in classics here. They literally are, even the number 4. Look at a watch with Roman numerals and notice that the 4 is “IIII”. I = 1 finger … V = open hand … X = two open hands next to each other Edit to add: Why do you get “L” for 50 and “C” for 100? The C “centum” was written with two reversed “L” shapes. Take away half of that, and you are left with L. Why do you get “M” for 1,000 and “D” for 500? Same reason–doubled up reversed D shapes. Take away half and you’re left with a D.
Masters in classics here. They literally are, even the number 4. Look at a watch with Roman numerals and notice that the 4 is “IIII”.
I = 1 finger
…
V = open hand
…
X = two open hands next to each other
Edit to add:
Why do you get “L” for 50 and “C” for 100? The C “centum” was written with two reversed “L” shapes. Take away half of that, and you are left with L.
Why do you get “M” for 1,000 and “D” for 500? Same reason–doubled up reversed D shapes. Take away half and you’re left with a D.
Thank you!