can number four in roman numerals also be written as IIII instead of IV

In the historical context of Roman numerals, "IIII" is indeed sometimes found instead of "IV" for the number four. It's important to understand that the use of Roman numerals was not always standardized, and there were variations in practice.

The numeral "IIII" (four "I"s) was used occasionally in ancient Rome, particularly in simple counting contexts where clarity was important. However, in more formal contexts or in written documents, "IV" was generally the preferred representation. "IV" is also widely attested in ancient Roman inscriptions and texts.

As for modern clocks, which you mentioned, they do often display "IIII" instead of "IV" for the hour 4 o'clock. There are different theories as to why this is the case:

1. Aesthetic Reasons: The use of "IIII" can be seen as a design choice for visual balance on the clock face.

2. Historical Tradition: Some argue it's a nod to historical practices, although as we've discussed, "IV" was more common in historical Roman numerals.

3. Misinterpretation: It could be due to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the Roman numeral system over time.

In essence, while "IIII" can be found in some contexts, especially in modern times, "IV" is the more historically standard representation of the number four in Roman numerals.