Each I is a finger, V is the thumb and index. X is crossing your index and middle finger.
Masters in classics here. They literally are, even the number 4. Look at a watch with Roman numerals and notice that the 4 is “IIII”.
I = 1 finger … V = open hand … X = two open hands next to each other
Endmaker@ani.social 3 days ago
One of my undergrad professors said that they look as such because I, V and X can be easily marked using axes.
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Or clay-incising tools. Or pieces of charcoal. Or chisels.
Trex202@lemmy.world 3 days ago
That makes sense
And009@lemmynsfw.com 3 days ago
L, C, M also make sense Image