Roman numerals

The system of Roman numerals is a numeral system originating in ancient Rome, and was adapted from Etruscan numerals. The system used in antiquity was slightly modified in the Middle Ages to produce the system we use today.

Other modern usage by English-speaking peoples

Roman numerals remained in common use until about the 14th century, when they were replaced by Arabic numerals (thought to have been introduced to Europe from al-Andalus, by way of Arab traders and arithmetic treatises, around the 11th century). The use of Roman numerals today is mostly restricted to ordinal numbers, such as volumes or chapters in a book or the numbers identifying monarchs or popes (e.g. Elizabeth II, Benedict XVI, etc.).

Related Topics:
14th century - Arabic numerals - Al-Andalus - Arab - 11th century - Ordinal - Elizabeth II - Benedict XVI

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Sometimes the numerals are written using lower-case letters (thus: i, ii, iii, iv, etc.), particularly if numbering paragraphs or sections within chapters, or for the pagination of the front matter of a book.

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Undergraduate degrees at British universities are generally graded using I, IIi, IIii, III for first, upper second (often pronounced "two one"), lower second (often pronounced "two two") and third class respectively.

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Modern English usage also employs Roman numerals in many books (especially anthologies), movies (e.g., Star Wars), sporting events (e.g., the Super Bowl), and historic events (e.g., World War I, World War II). The common unifying theme seems to be stories or events that are episodic or annual in nature, with the use of classical numbering suggesting importance or timelessness.

Related Topics:
Star Wars - Super Bowl - World War I - World War II

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In music theory a scale degrees or diatonic functions are often identified by Roman numerals (as in chord symbols) as follows:

Related Topics:
Music theory - Scale degree - Diatonic function - Chord symbol

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