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From: notes@zeppo.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Re: 666: The Number of the Beast - (nf)
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Date: Mon, 17-Oct-83 00:18:18 EDT
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Posted: Mon Oct 17 00:18:18 1983
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#R:ihuxe:-19400:zeppo:9300006:000:1973
zeppo!mmc    Jan 28 11:09:00 1983

In Hebrew characters, Nero Caesar (ruled 54-68 CE) can be written as:

		N (= nun)       =  50
		R (= resh)      = 200
		O (= vav)       =   6
		N (= nun)       =  50

		K (= qof)       = 100
		S (= samekh)    =  60
		R (= resh)      = 200

Normal Hebrew orthography is doctored a bit to make things come out
right, which is not uncommon in this numerological technique.  The
usual practice was to assume the desired numerical result, and then
adjust the spelling or transliteration of the input until it came out as
intended.  The final "N" in Nero's name perhaps can be justified
because it is present in the normal inflection of "Nero" in Latin.
Even so, one would expect a slightly different spelling (in Hebrew) of
both Nero and Caesar.

Among other 666-isms that I have seen based on Hebrew characters are
the two following.  I didn't invent them; the first is from the
counter-Reformation, and the second is much earlier.  Both are more
somewhat forced, since they use Hebrew transliterations of European
names ithat no truly literate Hebraist would consider; they can be
found in several religious and theological polemics:

	(1) 666 = Luther:
		L (= lamed)     =  30
		U (= vav)       =   6
		L (= lamed)     =  30 (inserted to make the arithmetic work)
		T (= tav)       = 400
		R (= resh)      = 200

	(2) 666 = Trajan  (Roman Emperor 98-117 CE)
		T (= tav)       = 400
		R (= resh)      = 200
		I (= yod)       =  10
		O (= vav)       =   6 (inserted as above)
		N (= nun)       =  40

Robert Graves (not the most reliable of historians) offers the
following Latin acrostic for 666 = DCLXVI:

    Domitianus Caesar Legatos Xti (= Christi) Viliter Interfecit

i.e., Domitian Caesar (Roman Emperor 51-96 CE, commonly known as Titus)
vilely slew the messengers of Christ.

In fairness to Graves, he states that this acrostic came to him in a
flash of inspiration.

Similar numerological representations exist in other languages as well.

	Mark Chodrow (zeppo!mmc)