The Hindu-Arabic Numerals c11.61

c11.61

Since Gerbert¹ was for a long time thought to have been the one to introduce the numerals into Italy,² a brief sketch of this unique character is proper. Born of humble parents,³ this remarkable man became the counselor and companion of kings, and finally wore the papal tiara as Sylvester II, from 999 until his death in 1003.⁴ He was early brought under the influence of the monks at Aurillac, and particularly of Raimund, who had been a pupil of Odo of Cluny, and there in due time he himself took holy orders. He visited Spain in about 967 in company with Count Borel,⁵ remaining there three years, and studying under Bishop Hatto of Vich,¹ a city in the province of Barcelona,² then entirely under Christian rule. Indeed, all of Gerbert's testimony is as to the influence of the Christian civilization upon his education. Thus he speaks often of his study of Boethius,³ so that if the latter knew the numerals Gerbert would have learned them from him.⁴ If Gerbert had studied in any Moorish schools he would, under the decree of the emir Hishām (787–822), have been obliged to know Arabic, which would have taken most of his three years in Spain, and of which study we have not the slightest hint in any of his letters.⁵ On the other hand, Barcelona was the only Christian province in immediate touch with the Moorish civilization at that time.⁶ Furthermore we know that earlier in the same century King Alonzo of Asturias (d. 910) confided the education of his son Ordoño to the Arab scholars of the court of the wālī of Saragossa,¹ so that there was more or less of friendly relation between Christian and Moor.