Submitted by bede (not verified) on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 3:08pm.
Also consider the likelihood of the number VII in someone's name. In this country a person is Junior if named after his father, and is the III if named after his father and grandfather, if his grandfather is still alive, and is the IV if name after his father, grandfather and great grandfather, and all are STILL alive. How likely is it that someone would have six generations of father, grand-f, great-grand-f, great-great-grand-f, etc. alive at the time of his birth?
The only people who use the Roman numerals when their forebears are dead are Kings, Queens, Emperors, Empresses, Popes (what's a female pope?:-b), etc. for legal and dynastic reasons.
Also consider the likelihood of the number VII in someone's name. In this country a person is Junior if named after his father, and is the III if named after his father and grandfather, if his grandfather is still alive, and is the IV if name after his father, grandfather and great grandfather, and all are STILL alive. How likely is it that someone would have six generations of father, grand-f, great-grand-f, great-great-grand-f, etc. alive at the time of his birth?
The only people who use the Roman numerals when their forebears are dead are Kings, Queens, Emperors, Empresses, Popes (what's a female pope?:-b), etc. for legal and dynastic reasons.