Libra
(
σταθμός).
1.
A balance or pair of scales,
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Libra. (Millin, Peint. de Vases Ant. )
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whose principal parts were (
a) the beam,
iugum,
ζυγόν; (
b) the scales,
lances,
τάλαντα. When the beam had a
tongue working in an “eye” (
agina), the tongue was
called
examen and
ligula. This sort of balance was
called
trutĭna (
τρυτάνη). A steelyard was called
statēra.
2.
A constellation (
Ζυγός) placed in the Zodiac at the
equinox when days and nights are equally balanced.
3.
An instrument for ascertaining the level of the water in an aqueduct (Vitruv. viii. 5, 1).