The Hindu-Arabic Numerals c6.130

c6.130

³ P. D. Huet, *Demonstratio evangelica*, Paris, 1769, note to p. 139 on p. 647: "Ab Arabibus vel ab Indis inventas esse, non vulgus eruditorum modo, sed doctissimi quique ad hanc diem arbitrati sunt. Ego vero falsum id esse, merosque esse Graecorum characteres aio; à librariis Graecae linguae ignaris interpolatos, et diuturna scribendi consuetudine corruptos. Nam primum 1 apex fuit, seu virgula, nota *μονάδος*. 2, est ipsum *β* extremis suis truncatum. *γ*, si in sinistram partem inclinaveris & cauda mutilaveris & sinistrum cornu sinistrorsum flexeris, fiet 3. Res ipsa loquitur 4 ipsissimum esse *Δ*, cujus crus sinistrum erigitur *κατὰ κάθετον*, & infra basim descendit; basis vero ipsa ultra crus producta eminet. Vides quam 5 simile sit *τῷ ε*; infimo tantum semicirculo, qui sinistrorsum patebat, dextrorsum converso. *ἐπίσημον βαῦ* quod ita notabatur *ϛ*, rotundato ventre, pede detracto, peperit *τὸ* 6. Ex Z basi sua mutilato, ortum est *τὸ* 7. Si H inflexis introrsum apicibus in rotundiorem & commodiorem formam mutaveris, exurget *τὸ* 8. At 9 ipsissimum est *ϑ*." I. Weidler, *Spicilegium observationum ad historiam notarum numeralium*, Wittenberg, 1755, derives them from the Hebrew letters; Dom Augustin Calmet, "Recherches sur l'origine des chiffres d'arithmétique," *Mémoires pour l'histoire des sciences et des beaux arts*, Trévoux, 1707 (pp. 1620–1635, with two plates), derives the current symbols from the Romans, stating that they are relics of the ancient "Notae Tironianae." These "notes" were part of a system of shorthand invented, or at least perfected, by Tiro, a slave who was freed by Cicero. L. A. Sedillot, "Sur l'origine de nos chiffres," *Atti dell' Accademia pontificia dei nuovi Lincei*, Vol. XVIII, 1864–1865, pp. 316–322, derives the Arabic forms from the Roman numerals.