The Romans counted according to decimal mathematics, just like we do, but with a different style of writing. It is useful to know this method of writing because we still run across these numbers today. So here is a layout of the numbers so we can remember them.

Numeration

Utilized were only 7 alphabetical symbols to form all numbers, placed before or after a symbol to subtract or sum among them. A small bar above the letter adds 1,000 of the expressed value. Zero has no symbol.

I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1.000

When two letters (numbers) are adjacent; if the lesser number is to the right it is added to that of the left, while if the lesser is to the left, it is subtracted from that on the right. Therefore, VI = 6 and IV = 4. Exception are rare.
Some rules have been added as follows: 3 identical symbols are never attached (and never repeat V or L), a lesser number must proceed a larger one that is a maximum of ten times the difference of the previous number (so today we are in MCMXCIX and not MIM).

Vocal correspondence of the cardinal numbers

1

unus

19

undeviginti

2

duo

20

viginti

3

tres

30

triginta

4

quattuor

40

quadraginta

5

quinque

50

quinquaginta  

6

sex

60

sexaginta

7

septem

70

septuaginta

8

octo

80

octoginta

9

novem

90

nonaginta

10

decem

100

centum

11

undecim

200

ducenti

12

duodecim

300

 trecenti

13

tredecim

400

quadrigenti

14

quattuordecim

500

quingenti

15

quindecim

600

sescenti

16

sedecim

700

septingenti

17

septendecim

800

octingenti

18

duodeviginti

900

nongenti

1000

mille

The declination of numbers

• 2000 = duo milia
• 3000 = tria milia
• 4000 = quattuor milia

Hours of the day

The primitive Romans didn't have the possibility to exactly measure the time and based the hour principally on the rising, the position, and the setting of the sun. Only three moments were defined: the dawn ("solis Ortus"), noon ("meridies"), and dusk ("solis occasus"). The day was divided into two parts: morning ("ante Meridiem") and evening ("post meridium"), still used today in the English language as AM/PM.
In 263 B.C. the sundial ("solarium") was introduced in Sicily and installed in the Forum area. This allowed the day to be divided into 12 numbered hours ("horae"), followed by a.m. or p.m., with each hour divided into 60 minutes.
The hourglass ("clepsydra") followed this, also called the "horologium". This was used by the military to divide the guard's ("vigilae") shifts.

> Celebrated sayings and proverbs

> Calendar of Roman holidays

> Quiz for visiting the Imperial Forums

> Antique Rome in the modern cinema

In the other chapters you can find news on the advancement in archeological excavation in the Imperial Forum area, the history of Rome, and the daily life and habits of the Antique Romans. Select a chapter from the four titles in the black column on the right.