Greek Numerals & Isopsephy
Convert between Greek numerals (Ionic system) and decimal numbers. Calculate isopsephy values of Greek text.
Greek Numeral Values
Units (1-9)
α1
β2
γ3
δ4
ε5
ϛ6
ζ7
η8
θ9
Tens (10-90)
ι10
κ20
λ30
μ40
ν50
ξ60
ο70
π80
ϙ90
Hundreds (100-900)
ρ100
σ200
τ300
υ400
φ500
χ600
ψ700
ω800
ϡ900
Archaic Letters
- • ϛ (stigma) = 6 — archaic, sometimes ς used
- • ϙ (koppa) = 90 — archaic letter
- • ϡ (sampi) = 900 — archaic letter
Puzzle Tips
- • Numbers are marked with keraia (ʹ) after them
- • Thousands use a lower-left mark (͵) before the letter
- • Isopsephy was used in ancient Greek word games
- • Famous example: "The Beast's Number" 666 = χξϛʹ
What are Greek Numerals?
Greek numerals (also called Ionic or Alphabetic numerals) use the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet plus three archaic letters to represent numbers. This system was standard in the Greek-speaking world for over a millennium.
The Ionic System
Basic Values
- Units (1-9): α β γ δ ε ϛ ζ η θ
- Tens (10-90): ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο π ϙ
- Hundreds (100-900): ρ σ τ υ φ χ ψ ω ϡ
Archaic Letters
Three archaic letters are needed to complete the system: stigma (ϛ) for 6, koppa (ϙ) for 90, and sampi (ϡ) for 900.
Isopsephy
Isopsephy is the Greek practice of adding the numerical values of letters in a word. Words with equal values were considered connected— the Greek equivalent of Hebrew gematria.
Examples
- θεός (theos, "god") = 284
- ἀγαθός (agathos, "good") = 284
- Same value = mystical connection!
Number Notation
- Keraia (ʹ): Mark placed after numbers
- Low mark (͵): Placed before letter for thousands
- Example: ͵βκδʹ = 2024
In Puzzles
Greek numerals appear in:
- Classical themes: Ancient history or mythology
- Religious puzzles: Biblical or Orthodox themes
- Isopsephy riddles: Find words with matching values
- Historical dates: Ancient inscriptions
Related Systems
- Hebrew Numerals: Similar alphabetic system with gematria.
- Roman Numerals: Another ancient notation.
- Word Value: Modern letter-number systems.