08-03-2007, 10:51 PM
Matt is quite right. The subtractive method of Roman numerals is modern. In Latin epigraphy IV would have also stood for Juppiter, and it could have been ambiguous. Although I have read that it was used inconsistently throughout the middles ages.
XIIII is probably better, since it is easier for people to count to four than to subtract one from five.
XIIII is probably better, since it is easier for people to count to four than to subtract one from five.
Michael Griffin
High School Teacher who knows Latin & Greek
felicior quam sus in stercu
High School Teacher who knows Latin & Greek
felicior quam sus in stercu
