Tag Archives: numbers

Arabic Numerals in the 9th Century

Our digital numeral system came first from India, but spent a long time as the dominant system in the Arabic kingdoms before entering Latin and Europe. The numbers are Arabic by adoption, Indian by birth. The Jain sect in India … Continue reading

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids, Literature | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Arabic Numerals in the 9th Century

Gerbert as Pope Sylvester

I had trouble writing this entry because writerly discipline suggests I should stick with my main subject: the early Pope who attempted to introduce Arabic numbers, but failed. However, he was appointed Pope by his pupil, whom he was apparently … Continue reading

Posted in Muslim Empire (old series) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment