MEDIMNUS
MEDIMNUS (
μέδιμνος or
μέδιμνος σιτηρός), the principal dry measure of
the Greeks. It was used especially for measuring coin. It contained 6
hectes, 12
hemiecta, 48
choenices, 96
xestae
(
sextarii), 192
cotylae, and 1152
cyathi. The Attic
medimnus was equal to six Roman modii, or two amphorae (
Nepos, Att. 2;
Cic. in Verr. 3.42, 110;
49,
116)=52,53 litres, and therefore the Attic medimnus contained nearly 12
imperial gallons (11.556 gallons) or 1 1/2 bushel. The Aeginetan and
Ptolemaic were about half as much again, or in the ratio of 3:2 to the
Attic; the Aeginetan being = 72.7 litres, the Ptolemaic = 78.8 (Hultsch, p.
505). The Sicilian was equal to the Attic. For the values of the
subdivisions of the medimnus, see the Tables. (Hultsch,
Metrologie, pp. 104, 503;
MENSURA) The symbol in Greek MSS. for medimnus was
Me. (Hultsch,
Metrol. Script. 1.170).
[
P.S] [
G.E.M]
