Roman numerals

We have studied Roman Numerals before but we are reviewing them as part of our studies in Latin and Greek.

I think most of us know what Roman Numerals are but how and when did they come to be?  


Quick factoids:
~developed around 500 B.C.

~read left to right

~digitus is Latin for finger and number (in ancient times people counted on their fingers)

~developed by the Romans

~a smaller number before a larger number means subtract (ex: IV means 5-1 or 4)

~a smaller number after a larger number means add (ex: VIII means 5+1+1+1 or 8)

~another example like the one below (taken from English From the Roots Up) 
MDCCLXXVI These are the Roman Numerals for 1776.  How?  Lets look at it. 
M=1000
DCC=500+100+100=700
LXX=50+10+10=70
VI=6
So when they are added, the total is 1776.  Once you learn all of the Roman Numerals, it is pretty simple really.  It is also like a puzzle trying to figure out to add or subtract and changing the letters into digits.

To read more click here and here.