Greek numerals

Greek numerals are a way of writing numbers in Ancient Greece. Just like we use numbers like 1, 2, and 3 to count things, the Ancient Greeks used symbols to represent numbers too.

The symbols that the Greeks used to write their numbers are quite different from the numbers we use today. Instead of circles and straight lines, the Greeks used letters from their own alphabet as symbols for different numbers.

For example, the letter alpha (Α) stood for the number 1, beta (Β) stood for 2, and so on. When Greeks wanted to write a number that was larger than 9, they combined these letters to create new symbols.

So if you wanted to write the number 10, you would combine the symbols for alpha (Α) and iota (Ι), which would make the symbol ΙΑ. Similarly, the symbol for 100 was made by combining the letters for rho (Ρ) and omega (Ω), which makes the symbol ΡΩ.

Greek numerals were used for many centuries by the Greeks for counting and mathematics. Today, they are seen on ancient artifacts, buildings, and coins. They are a fascinating part of the language and culture of the Ancient Greeks.