Subject: [HM] Dionysius Exiguus and zero
From: Christian Marinus Taisbak (marinus@private.dk)
Date: Fri Jan 21 2000 - 14:12:12 EST
John Harper wrote
>
> I would prefer to do it this way: there was a time when zero was
> unknown (Dionysius Exiguus had never heard of it, so 1 BC was
> immediately followed by 1 AD in his system, which is why this year
> is the last year of the 20th century not the first of the 21st.)
While it is correct that Dionysius never thought of the "year zero" (nor
of "One BC" for that matter, the latter being invented by Scaliger as far
as I know), he was well aware of the NUMBER zero. In his Easter tables
the first epact in each nineteen-years' cycle is "nulla" (and not thirty
as in those of his predecessors'), which is a perfect "Roman" numeral for
zero. Have a look at Patrologiae Latinae, (Migne), vol. 67, col. 493. Some
myths are hard to lay. I might create a new one: Dionysius invented zero.
But empty purses were no new invention.
May I call attention to an interview I had with D.E. "Romae anno ab urbe
condita MCCLXXXV," sent to the list Dec 28 sub titulo M(illenniu)M.
Happy Aquarius to everybody.
Marinus of Copenhagen
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