Numerals and time

Numerals

In Latin, numerals can be expressed as words, just like in English.
Cardinal numerals are used to count or quantify things, such as unum (one), duo (two), tres (three), and so on.
Ordinal numerals express order or position, for example primus (first), secundus (second), and tertius (third).
A set of numeral adverbs also exists to express numbers of times an action is performed, such as semel (once) and bis (twice).

Distribution of Numerals

The distribution of numerals is relatively uniform across Latin literature, from personal names to dates and quantities.
Not all Latin words follow the numeral translations directly. Often, words with numeral roots carry a different or extended meaning. For example, Septimus (seventh) is a common Roman name.
Note that ‘mil’ is used to denote a thousand, such as in ‘mille passus’ - a ‘mile’ or ‘thousand paces’.

Expressing Time

In Latin, time expressions are slightly different from English, though the general concept is similar.
Ordinal numbers, combined with the word dies (day), are used to denote specific days of the month, unlike English where cardinal numbers are used. For instance, ‘the third day of April’ would be ‘tertius dies Aprilis’.
Latin also use phrases like ad diem (on the day), postridie (the day after), and pridie (the day before) to express time relations to specific days.
The phrase hora prima is used to denote ‘the first hour’ of the day, which starts at sunrise in Roman time reckoning.
Latin authors may use the phrases mane (in the morning), meridies (midday), and vespere (in the evening) to indicate specific points of the day.

Remember: Understanding numerals and time expressions is crucial for reading and translating Latin accurately. Practice identifying and interpreting numerals and expressions of time in a variety of contexts to improve comprehension skills.