Roman numerals originated in ancient Rome between 900-800 BC using seven basic symbols: I, V, X, L, C, D and M. The system utilized addition and subtraction of symbols but had no symbol for zero and no single method for counting above thousands. By 300 AD, the fall of the Roman Empire saw the introduction of the decimal number system using Arabic numerals which included a symbol for zero and allowed for more advanced math. Today, Roman numerals are still used for things like timepieces, historic coins and artifacts, and lists.