What is it that makes Roman numerals seem important?
As David Beckham watched the tattooist’s needle inking his arm, perhaps he pondered his choice for Roman numerals rather than the more usual Arabic numbers. ” By the intellectual standards of the locker room, Beckham is certainly showing lofty ambitions ” Stephen Bayley After all, what does having “VII” on his arm signify that having “7” would not? Could it be that this is just the latest example of Roman numerals being used because, for some reason, they seem to lend an air of importance and significance? Consider some other examples… Despite their Greek origins, the Olympic Games are always known by their Roman number. So for instance, the Sydney Games in 2000 were the Games of the XXVIIth Olympiad, helping to give the process the desired air of importance and antiquity. Monarchs too are known by their Roman number. Elizabeth 2 somehow does not seem as fitting as Elizabeth II, which says nothing of Louis XIV or Henry VIII. And as broadcaster and author Paul Lewis – who has a longst
