Latin Numerals

Latin Learning Latin
1

Salvete omnes,

I’m just wondering about the _ that appears over Latin numerals. My understanding is that they indicate ten thousand- thus MM with such a dash represents 20 000. Is this the case? If so, what number does VII with such a dash represent? 70 000?

Thanks,

Einhard.

2

Minimè, Einharde. Milies significat istud signum ( ¯ ).
No, the bar means multiplied by a thousand.
MM¯¯ (bar over the Ms) = 2 000 000
v¯īī = 7 000
Vide http://www.web40571.clarahost.co.uk/roman/howtheywork.htm#larger

3

Thanks for that adrianus. It’s an interesting link too.