Our number system uses ten digits and allows for arbitrarily large numbers. The digits are called Arabic because Arabs counted using the corners of shapes. Romans used different symbols for numbers and had no symbol for zero. The document provides examples of Roman numerals and their values, as well as dates written in Roman numerals including examples from the construction of St. Peter's Basilica and lives of historical figures. It notes some rules for using Roman numerals, such as limits on repetition of symbols when using addition.