Hindu Arabic Numeric Medieval Ideograms

All Arabic numbers we use today are ideograms created by Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (c.778 - c.850). Al-Khwarizmi was born in Central Asia, where today is placed the Uzbekistan, and then he moved to Baghdad, where he worked as a mathematician during the first golden age of Islamic Science, at the "House of Wisdom".

Using the abacus notations, he developed the manuscript decimal system. Based on additive angles, he defined the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. And using his knowledge about the abacus manuscript notations, he defined the numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, O. (see also)

The oldest dated European manuscript containing Arabic numbers is the Codex Vigilanus written in Spain in the year of 976.

In 1202, Leonard of Pisa (also know as Leonard Fibonacci c.1170 - c.1250) published his Liber Abbaci, a book of arithmetic and algebraic information. During the 14th century, Arabic numerals became widely used by merchants in Italy. (see also)

European Medieval Manuscripts: CARMEN DE ALGORISMUS OF ALEXANDER DE VILLA DEI ALGORISMUS VULGARIS OF JOHN OF SACROBOSCO COMMENTUM MAGISTRI PETRI PHILOMENI DE DACIA

Europeans scholarship whom translated al-Khwarismi's tables: (see also)

By the end of the 12th century (Middle Ages), there were two lines of thoughts among mathematicians: The algorists, followers of al-Khowarizmi, and the abacists, who used the abacus as a means of dealing with the unwieldy Roman notation. ( see also )

Gerbert d'Aurillac Pope Sylvestre II c.945 - c.1003

Adelard of Bath c.1080- c.1160

Leonardo Pisano c.1170-c.1250

The New Theory On Number History Spreading In Europe Due To Playing Cards At The Middle Ages

The origins of the cards game are uncertain, with traces from either the Orient or Middle East being unclear. (see also) The earliest literacy reference to the playing cards suggests that the Arabs might have introduced it in Europe in the 14th century. (see also) The first registration about the Mamlûk Wa-Nawwâb cards was found in Catalonia (Spain) and is dated from the year of 1370s. Ten years later they were everywhere in Europe. (see also) There is a reference to playing cards game from a German monk ( John of Rheinfelden ) who noted in a diary that a game using cards had arrived at his monastery in Basle, Switzerland in the year of 1377. (see also) BIBLIOGRAPHY

To support this massive self-teaching theory, each ancient play card must have the Arabic numeric value and also the pip ciphered on itself, as the German cards 5 and 7 above.

It might be speculated that this widely used suit system suggesting a symbolism and a new semiotic language accounted for the introduction of the " Algorismus Vulgaris or Algorismus de integris abbreviatus " in medieval Europe. (see also)

This theory was proposed on March 2003. Many thanks to SML and JAMF

Interestingly, due to church inquisition at the Middle Ages many ancients cards made in Europe do not have written on itself the Arabic index number, but only the pip value. (see also) All the pip (number) cards were similar from the late 14th century until index numbers were definitively added in the 19th century.

Printing Play Cards and the Arabic numerals' history

The wood cut, as it influenced our culture, appeared first in Germany, perhaps coincident with the introduction of paper. The first paper mill in Germany is said to have been set up near Mainz about 1320. The first one of definite record in that country was Nuremberg in 1390. But paper was in use there before that year. It appears that the Germans were the first to practice card-making as a trade, and playing cards are supposed to have been the first articles printed on paper in Occidental history. Apropos, the burghers of Nuremberg before the year 1384 were permitted to play cards, provided they ventured only small sums, as mentioned in the by-laws of the town. But playing cards were in disrepute previous to 1380, for the pages of the court of Charles V were lectured on the impropriety of playing at dice and cards ... and haunting taverns and cabarets. ( see also )

The Modern Numerals at Catholic Bible

Johann Gensfleisch Gutenberg's Bible -1455: The First Book Ever Printed by John L. Jeffcoat The first thing ever printed by the inventor of the printing press was a Latin Bible printed in Germany in 1455. A magnificent work of art, these Bibles were hand-illuminated with many full-color images, decorations, and both: Arabic and Roman numerals.

One would think that this first book would have been very primitive and poor quality, but this is absolutely not the case. Gutenberg's Bible was a stunningly beautiful work done in beautiful type style, and then hand-illuminated in a rainbow of colors, as well as liquid gold. Even the paper used was of the highest quality and bore unusual and artful watermarks.

These are correct format and sequence of the medieval numbers in titlepage of the Libro Intitulado Arithmetica Practica by Juan de Yciar, the Basque calligrapher and mathematician, Saragossa 1549.

The Modern European Numerals at Geneva Pulpit Bible: The first Large Pulpit-Sized Geneva Bible - 1579.

The Geneva Bible was first printed in Geneva, Switzerland, by refugees from England, fleeing the persecution of Protestants by Roman Catholic Queen "Bloody" Mary.

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