Lecture on Latin Numbers

Importance of Learning Numbers

• Counting is one of the first things learned in modern languages.
• Essential for everyday communication (e.g., ordering coffee, hotel room numbers).
• In Latin, talking to the living isn't necessary; focus is on literature and historical texts.
• Despite this, learning numbers in Latin is still important.

Cardinal Numbers in Latin

• Definition: Cardinal numbers are basic counting numbers.
• Origin: "Cardinal" comes from Latin "cardo" (hinge), indicating these are essential numbers.

Basic Cardinal Numbers

• 1 to 10:
  • Unus (1), Duo (2), Tres (3), Quattuor (4), Quinque (5), Sex (6), Septem (7), Octo (8), Novem (9), Decem (10)
• Comparison with Romance Languages: Latin is the root of French, Spanish, and Italian numbers.
• Historical Language Note: German shares a common ancient ancestor with Latin.
• Months named after numbers:
  • September (7), October (8), November (9), December (10) based on old calendar when year started in March.

Numbers 11 to 20

• 11 to 19:
  • Undecim (11), Duodecim (12), Tredecim (13), Quattuordecim (14), Quindecim (15), Sedecim (16), Septendecim (17), Duodeviginti (18), Undeviginti (19)
  • Pattern: Add a number to 10 for 11-17, subtract from 20 for 18-19.
• 20: Viginti

Larger Numbers

• 21 and Beyond:
  • Viginti unus (21), Viginti duo (22), Triginta (30), Quadraginta (40), Quinquaginta (50), Sexaginta (60), Septuaginta (70), Octoginta (80), Nonaginta (90), Centum (100)
• Hundreds and Thousands:
  • 101: Centum et unus
  • 200: Ducenti, 300: Trecenti, etc.
  • 1000: Mille
  • Multiples: 7000 = Septem milia

Declension of Numbers

• Unus, Duo, Tres have gendered and declined forms:
  • Masculine/Feminine/Neuter forms differ; important for matching nouns.
• Declension Patterns:
  • Unus: Unus, Una, Unum in nominative.
  • Duo: Duo, Duae, Duo, and follows plural declension.
  • Tres: Same for masculine and feminine, Tria for neuter.

Conclusion

• Learning Latin numbers helps understand and compare to modern Romance languages.
• Insight into language evolution from Latin to modern languages.