Why is A the first letter of the alphabet? Why do we use a U after a Q?

The incredible, fascinating story of one of humanity’s most extraordinary inventions: the letters of the alphabet.

Why is A the first letter of the alphabet? Is it because Phoenicians considered the bull as the most valuable property? Why does D stand for 500 in Roman numerals? How can you see a man’s face in an M? Why do we use a U after a Q? This book is a history of the alphabet. The story of one of humanity’s most extraordinary inventions.

Equipped with a rich collection of images, a contagious inquisitiveness, as well as clear, engaging explanations, Alessandro Magrini takes us on a fascinating journey – one chapter per letter – from ancient Egypt to Phoenicia, to Greece and Rome, with a nod to the Etruscans.

pp.192

An erudite and enjoyable essay about how numbers and mathematics came to exist, and how they have evolved over the centuries.

Thot is the Egyptian god of knowledge, writing, magic, the measure of time, mathematics and geometry. He is represented as a sacred ibis, the bird that would fly over the Nile, or as a baboon.

Thot, the scribe, is considered the inventor of writing, numbers, and of all that involves counting and calculation in arithmetics. Thot invented what we need in order to measure time and space, sometimes through games, and convey it through writing. The greatest scholars in history have tried to follow the countless paths opened by Thot’s inventions and teachings, but always without success. It’s impossible to obtain the knowledge and power of such a great god, but thanks to this essay, it’s possible to get to know him better.

pp.256