How to Read Roman Numerals

The Basics...

The digits used:
I = 1
V = 5
X = 10
L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1000

And so...

If a large number is followed by small number: ADD

If a small number is followed by larger number: SUBTRACT the smaller from larger

If a number is followed by number of equal value: ADD

Examples:
I = 1  
II = 2 (1+1)
III = 3 (1+1+1)
IIII or IV = 4 (1+1+1+1) or (5-1)
V = 5  
VI = 6 (5+1)
VII = 7 (5+1+1)
VIII = 8 (5+1+1+1)
IX = 9 (10-1) or (5+1+1+1+1)
X = 10  
XI = 11 (10+1)
XIX = 19 (10+(10-1))
XX = 20 (10+10)
XXX = 30 (10+10+10)
XXXX or XL = 40 (10+10+10+10) or (50-10)
L = 50  
LX = 60 (50+10)
LXX = 70 (50+10+10)
LXXX = 80 (50+10+10+10) or (4x20)
LXXXX or XC = 90 (50+10+10+10+10) or (100-10)
XCIX = 99 ((100-10)+(10-1)) or ((4x20)+10+(10-1))
C = 100  
CI = 101 (100+1)
CC = 200 (100+100)
CCC = 300 (100+100+100)
CCCC = 400 (100+100+100+100) or (4x100)
D = 500  
DC = 600 (500+100)
M = 1000  
MDCCCCLXXXV or MCMLXXXV = 1985 (1000+500+100+100+100+100+50+10+10+10+5) or (1000+(1000-100)+50+10+10+10+5)
MM = 2000 (1000+1000)


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The Ravenstead household is dedicated to studying the arts and sciences of the Norse culture during the “Viking Era” (700-1066 AD) and re-enacting the lifestyle of that era in our encampments.