IIIE

IIIe is a French notation that combines a Roman numeral with the suffix “e” to denote the ordinal “troisième” (the third). It is used in contexts where concise ordinal labeling is preferred, such as dating, administrative divisions, and titles of historical periods or institutions.

Common uses include IIIe siècle to indicate the 3rd century, IIIe République for the French Third Republic (1870–1940), and IIIe arrondissement de Paris for the third district of Paris. The form relies on the Roman numeral for the number and the single-letter suffix “e” to signal ordinality, rather than a full written spelling of the word troisième.

In practice, IIIe is distinct from 3e, which uses Arabic numerals (for example, 3e arrondissement). Both convey the same ordinal position, but IIIe is often preferred in formal or historical contexts and when a uniform style across older documents is desired. The convention reflects French typographic and editorial practices for abbreviating ordinals.

Origin and terminology: the suffix e derives from the French ordinal ending -ième, and when attached to numerals, creates compact designations such as IIIe. While widely understood in Francophone regions, the meaning is context-dependent and best clarified by accompanying nouns (par exemple, siècle, République, arrondissement).

See also: French ordinal indicators, French typography, Paris arrondissements, French history.