ZYTHUM
ZYTHUM (
ζῦθος). [
CERVESIA]
TABLES OF GREEK AND ROMAN MEASURES, WEIGHTS, AND MONEY.
TABLE
|
|
I. |
Greek Measures
of Length. |
|
|
(1) Smaller Measures. |
II. |
Roman Measures
of Length. |
|
|
(1) Smaller Measures. |
III. |
Greek Measures
of Length. |
|
|
(2) Land and Itinerary. |
IV. |
Roman Measures
of Length. |
|
|
(2) Land and Itinerary. |
V. |
Greek Measures
of Surface. |
VI. |
Roman Measures
of Surface. |
VII. |
Greek Measures
of Capacity. |
|
|
(1) Liquid Measures. |
VIII. |
Roman Measures
of Capacity. |
|
|
(1) Liquid Measures. |
IX. |
Greek Measures
of Capacity. |
|
|
(2) Dry Measures. |
X. |
Roman Measures
of Capacity. |
|
|
(2) Dry Measures. |
XI. |
Greek and
Oriental Weights. |
XII. |
Greek
Money. |
XIII. |
Roman
Weights. |
|
|
(1) The As and its Uncial
Divisions. |
XIV. |
Roman
Weights. |
|
|
(2) Subdivisions of the
Uncia. |
XV. |
Roman
Money. |
|
|
(1) Weights. |
XVI. |
Roman
Money. |
|
|
(2) English Values. |
In the construction of these Tables, most use has been made of F. Hultsch's
Griechische und Römische Metrologie, 2nd ed.,
Berlin, 1882; but Hultsch's results have been, in some instances, corrected
by W. Dörpfeld in
Mittheilungen des Deutschen Instituts zu
Athen, since 1883. The tables of weights and money are founded
on the articles As and
PONDERA
by Professor Gardner.
The Tables are so arranged as to exhibit the corresponding Greek and Roman
measures in direct comparison with each other. In some of the Tables the
values are given, not only in our several measures, but also in decimals of
a primary unit, for the purpose of facilitating calculations. In others,
approximate values are given; that is, values which
differ from the true ones by some small fraction. Where both French and
English determinations are given, these cannot correspond with the utmost
exactness, but the discrepancy between them is barely noticeable, save in
the highest and lowest measures determined. Fuller information will be found
under MENSURA, NUMMUS, PONDERA, and the specific
names. [
P.S] [
J.G]
[p. 2.993]
TABLE I.
GRECIAN MEASURES OF LENGTH. (ATTIC
STANDARD.)
I. SMALLER
MEASURES. |
Decimals of a Metre. |
Decimals of a Foot. |
Feet. |
Inches. |
Δάκτυλος
|
.0185 |
.0607 |
|
.7281 |
2 |
Κόνδυλος
|
.037 |
.1213 |
|
1.4562 |
4 |
2 |
Παλαστή, Δῶρον, Δοχμή, or
Δακτυλοδοχμή |
.074 |
.2427 |
|
2.9124 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
Διχάς, or Λιχάς |
.148 |
.4852 |
|
5.8248 |
11 |
5 1/2 |
2 3/4 |
1 3/8 |
Ὀρθοδῶρον
|
.203 |
.6673 |
|
8.0091 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
1 1/2 |
1 1/11 |
Σπιθαμή
|
.222 |
.7281 |
|
8.7372 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1 5/11 |
1 1/3 |
ΠΟΥΣ̂
|
.296 |
.9708 |
|
11.6496 |
18 |
9 |
4 1/2 |
2 1/4 |
1 7/11 |
1 1/2 |
1 1/8 |
Πυγμή
|
.333 |
1.0921 |
1 |
1.1058 |
20 |
10 |
5 |
2 1/2 |
1 9/11 |
1 2/3 |
1 1/4 |
1 1/9 |
Πυγών
|
.370 |
1.2135 |
1 |
2.562 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
2 2/11 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
1 1/3 |
1 1/5 |
ΠΗΧ̂ΥΣ
|
.444 |
1.4562 |
1 |
5.4744 |
72 |
36 |
18 |
9 |
6 6/11 |
6 |
4 1/2 |
4 |
3 3/5 |
3 |
Ξύλον
|
1.332 |
4.3686 |
4 |
4.4232 |
96 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
8 8/11 |
8 |
6 |
5 1/3 |
4 4/5 |
4 |
1 1/3 |
ὈΠΓΥΙΑ᾽
|
1.776 |
5.8248 |
5 |
9.8976 |
NOTE.--For other Standards, see Notes
to Table II.
[p. 2.994]
TABLE II.
ROMAN MEASURES OF LENGTH.
I. SMALLER
MEASURES. |
Decimals of a Metre. |
Decimals of a Foot. |
Feet. |
Inches. |
Digitus |
.0185 |
.060675 |
|
.7281 |
1 1/3 |
UNCIA or Pollex |
.0247 |
.0809 |
|
.9708 |
4 |
3 |
Palmus |
.074 |
.2427 |
|
2.9124 |
12 |
9 |
3 |
Palmus Major
(of late times) |
.222 |
.7281 |
|
8.7372 |
16 |
12 |
4 |
1 1/3 |
PES
|
.296 |
.9708 |
|
11.6496 |
20 |
15 |
5 |
1 2/3 |
1 1/4 |
Palmipes |
.370 |
1.2135 |
1 |
2.562 |
24 |
18 |
6 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
1 1/5 |
CUBITUS
|
.444 |
1.4562 |
1 |
5.4744 |
NOTES TO TABLES I. AND II.
A metre is 39.37 English inches: an English foot is .3048 metre.
It is not thought necessary to give the whole scale of the Uncial divisions
of the foot. They can easily be calculated from the Uncia.
Other Standards.--The
relations of the
measures to one another were always, with hardly any exception, those above
given: but the
standards varied in different places
and at different times. Thus the Attic
ποὺς
being .296 m., the Aeginetan was 333 m., the Olympic .3205 m., the
Philetaerean .333 m., the Ionic .350 m., the Phrygian .2775 m.
In the West, though the Roman foot was .296 m., the same as the Attic, the
older Italian foot was only .275 m., and the Drusian foot, used in Gaul and
Germany, 2as .333 m.
In Egypt, under the Pharaohs, the Royal ell was .525 m., the smaller ell .425
m.: under the Ptolemies, the Royal ell was .533 m., the greater foot .355
m., and the smaller foot .303 m.
The Great Babylonian ell was .550 m., the Royal or Persian ell .495 m., the
Phoenician ell .4435 m.
Compared with one another, the Attic, Roman, and Phoenician feet are the
same: the Aeginetan, Philetaerean, and Drusian are the same: the Italian and
Phrygian are the same: the Ionic and Royal (or Greater) Egyptian are the
same--either exactly or very nearly indeed.
[p. 2.995]
TABLE III.
GRECIAN MEASURES OF LENGTH. (ATTIC
STANDARD.)
II. LARGER
MEASURES.--LAND AND ITINERARY. |
Decimals of a Metre. |
Decimals of a Mile. |
Miles. |
Feet. |
Inches. |
ΠΟΥΣ̂
|
0.296 |
.0001838 |
|
|
11.6496 |
1 1/2 |
ΠΗΧ̂ΥΣ
|
0.444 |
.0002757 |
|
1 |
5.4744 |
2 1/2 |
1 2/3 |
Βῆμα
|
0.739 |
.0004596 |
|
2 |
5.124 |
6 |
4 |
2 2/5 |
ὈΠΓΥΙΑ᾽
|
1.774 |
.001103 |
|
5 |
9.8976 |
10 |
6 2/3 |
4 |
1 2/3 |
Κάλαμος, Ἄκαινα, or Δεκάπους |
2.957 |
.001838 |
|
9 |
8.496 |
100 |
66 2/3 |
40 |
16 2/3 |
10 |
Πλέθρον
|
29.57 |
.01838 |
|
97 |
0.96 |
600 |
400 |
240 |
100 |
60 |
6 |
ΣΤΑ᾽ΔΙΟΝ or ΣΤΑ᾽ΔΙΟΣ |
177.4 |
.11028 |
|
582 |
5.76 |
1200 |
800 |
480 |
200 |
120 |
12 |
2 |
Δίαυλος
|
354.8 |
.22056 |
|
1164 |
11.52 |
2400 |
1600 |
960 |
400 |
240 |
24 |
4 |
2 |
Ἱππικόν
|
.44112 |
|
2329 |
11.04 |
18,000 |
12,000 |
7200 |
3000 |
1800 |
180 |
30 |
15 |
7 1/2 |
Παρασάγγης
|
3.3084 |
3 |
1634 |
4.8 |
36,000 |
24,000 |
14,400 |
6000 |
3600 |
360 |
60 |
30 |
15 |
2 |
Σχοῖνος
|
6.6168 |
6 |
3268 |
9.6 |
NOTE.--The
σχοῖνος, above given, is that of Herodotus, but the measure
seems to have varied in different reaches of the Nile, and the Romans
reckoned it about 4 Roman miles. On the parasang, see note to next Table.
[p. 2.996]
TABLE IV.
ROMAN MEASURES OF LENGTH.
II. LARGER
MEASURES.--LAND AND ITINERARY. |
Decimals of a Metre. |
Decimals of a Mile. |
Miles. |
Feet. |
Inches. |
PES
|
0.296 |
.0001838 |
|
|
11.6496 |
1 1/2 |
Cubitus |
0.444 |
.0002757 |
|
1 |
5.4744 |
2 1/2 |
1 2/3 |
Gradus, or Pes
Sestertius |
0.740 |
.0004596 |
|
2 |
5.124 |
5 |
3 1/3 |
2 |
PASSUS
|
1.48 |
.0009193 |
|
4 |
10.248 |
10 |
6 2/3 |
4 |
2 |
Decempeda, or
Pertica |
2.96 |
.001838 |
|
9 |
8.496 |
120 |
80 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
Actus (in
length) |
35.52 |
.2206 |
|
116 |
5.952 |
5000 |
3333 1/2 |
2000 |
1000 |
500 |
41 2/3 |
MILLE PASSUUM
|
1480 |
.9193 |
|
4854 |
|
NOTES TO TABLES III. AND IV.
N.B.--The Roman mile only differs from the English by less than 1-10th.
Ancient Road Measures.--As in Tables I. and II., so here, the
relations of the measures to one another are correctly given, but the
standards varied. It is proper, therefore, to add the length of various road
measures according to the standards in use in different parts of the ancient
world.
The Attic
stadium being 177 m., the Olympic was
192 m., the Ptolemaic 185 m., the Ionic 210 m. (A metre is 39.37 English
inches.)
The Romans, using round numbers, reckoned 8 stadia to the mile. According to
this relation, the Roman stadium would be 185 m., and the old Italian 165 m.
Similarly, the Greeks reckoned 30 stadia to the parasang, but the parasang
was really 30
Persian stadia, which were longer
than the Greek, being 196.8 m. The true parasang was therefore 5904 m., or 3
miles 1180 yard. (So Oppert, but Hultsch determines it at 5670 m.)
The Gallic
leuga was 2220 m.: the German
rasta 4440 m.
[p. 2.997]
TABLE V.
GRECIAN MEASURES OF SURFACE.
(ATTIC STANDARD.)
ORDINARY LAND
MEASURES. |
Square Metres. |
Square Feet. |
Perches. |
Square Feet. |
ΠΟΥΣ̂ τετράγωνος (Square Foot) |
0.087 |
.94245 |
|
.94245 |
100 |
Ἄκαινα (Square of the κάλαμος) |
8.74 |
94.245 |
|
94.245 |
10,000 |
100 |
ΠΛΕ᾽ΘΠΟΝ
|
8740 |
9424.5 |
34 |
167.5 |
NOTES.
The English acre being 160 perches or 4840 sq. yds., the
πλέθρον is obviously less than 1/4 or an acre.
The Egyptian
ἄρουρα (
Hdt. 2.168) was a square of 50 Egyptian ells each way. The ell
being taken at 0.524 m., or about 21 English inches, this gives a value of
about 820 sq. yds. for the
ἄρουρα.
[p. 2.998]
TABLE VI.
ROMAN MEASURES OF SURFACE.
ORDINGARY
LAND MEASURES. |
Square Feet. |
Acres. |
Roods. |
Perches. |
Square Feet. |
PES QUADRATUS
|
.94245 |
|
|
|
.9425 |
100 |
Scrupulum, or
Decempeda Quadrata1 |
94.245 |
|
|
|
94.245 |
480 |
4 4/5 |
ACTUS SIMPLEX
|
452.377 |
|
|
1 |
180.127 |
2400 |
24 |
5 |
UNCIA
2
|
2261.89 |
|
|
8 |
83.885 |
3600 |
36 |
7 1/2 |
1 1/2 |
Clima |
3392.83 |
|
|
12 |
125.83 |
14,400 |
144 |
30 |
6 |
4 |
ACTUS QUADRATUS
|
13,571.318 |
|
1 |
9 |
231.07 |
28,800 |
288 |
60 |
12 |
8 |
2 |
JUGERUM
|
27,142.636 |
|
2 |
19 |
189.893 |
57,600 |
576 |
120 |
24 |
16 |
4 |
2 |
Heredium |
54.285.272 |
1 |
0 |
39 |
107.53 |
5,760,000 |
57,600 |
12,000 |
2400 |
1600 |
400 |
200 |
100 |
Centuria |
5,428,527.2 |
124 |
2 |
19 |
135.25 |
23,040,000 |
230,400 |
48,000 |
9600 |
6400 |
1600 |
800 |
400 |
4 |
Saltus |
21,714,108.8 |
498 |
1 |
37 |
268.75 |
[p. 2.999]
TABLE VII.
GRECIAN MEASURES OF CAPACITY.
I.
ATTIC LIQUID MEASURES. (SOLONIAN.) |
Gallons. |
Pints. |
Approximate. |
Gallons. |
Pints. |
Κοχλιάριον
|
|
.008 |
|
1/120 |
2 |
Χήμη
|
|
.016 |
|
[frac160] |
2 1/2 |
1 1/4 |
Μύστρον
|
|
.02 |
|
1/48 |
5 |
2 1/2 |
2 |
Κόγχη
|
|
.04 |
|
1/24 |
10 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
ΚΥ᾽ΑΘΟΣ
|
|
.08 |
|
1/12 |
15 |
7 1/2 |
6 |
3 |
1 1/2 |
Ὀξύβαφον
|
|
.12 |
|
1/8 |
30 |
15 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
Τέταρτον
|
|
.24 |
|
1/4 |
60 |
30 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
Κοτύλη, Τρυβλίον, or Ἡμίνα |
|
.48 |
|
1/2 |
120 |
60 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
ΞΕ᾽ΣΤΗΣ (Sextarius) |
|
.96 |
|
1 |
720 |
360 |
288 |
144 |
72 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
ΧΟΥΣ̂
|
|
5.76 |
|
6 |
5760 |
2880 |
2304 |
1152 |
576 |
384 |
192 |
96 |
48 |
8 |
ROMAN AMPHORA (κεράμιον) |
5 |
6.03 |
6 |
|
8640 |
4320 |
3456 |
1728 |
864 |
576 |
288 |
144 |
72 |
12 |
1 1/2 |
ΑΜΦΟΠΕΥ᾽Σ
ΜΕΤΠΗΤΗ᾽Σ
|
8 |
5.12 |
9 |
|
NOTE.--The above table is calculated from the
κύαθος, as estimated above. If it is
estimated at .045 litre, the
μετρητὴς will
be determined at about 1 pint less.
[p. 2.1000]
TABLE VIII.
ROMAN MEASURES OF CAPACITY.
I.
LIQUID MEASURES. |
Gallons. |
Pints. |
Approximate. |
Gallons. |
Pints. |
Ligula |
|
.02 |
|
1/48 |
4 |
CYATHUS
4
|
|
.08 |
|
1/12 |
6 |
1 1/2 |
Acetabulum |
|
.12 |
|
1/8 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
Quartarius, i.
e. 1/4 th of the Sextarius |
|
.24 |
|
1/4 |
24 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
Hemina or
Cotyla |
|
.48 |
|
1/2 |
48 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
SEXTARIUS i. e.
1/6 th of the Congius |
|
.96 |
|
1 |
288 |
72 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
CONGIUS
|
|
5.76 |
|
6 |
1152 |
288 |
192 |
96 |
48 |
24 |
4 |
Urna |
2 |
7.04 |
3 |
|
2304 |
576 |
384 |
192 |
96 |
48 |
8 |
2 |
AMPHORA QUADRANTAL
|
5 |
6.08 |
6 |
|
46,080 |
11,520 |
7680 |
3840 |
1920 |
960 |
160 |
40 |
20 |
Culeus |
115 |
1.6 |
120 |
|
NOTE.--The above table is also calculated from the
Cyathus, determined at .08 pint, and here
also a calculation from the
Cyathus = .045
litre would make a trifling difference in the
Amphora.
[p. 2.1001]
TABLE IX.
GRECIAN MEASURES OF CAPACITY.
NOTE.--The Egyptain
hin was about 10
κύαθοι: the
Persian
ἀρτάβη about 48 quarts; the
Ptolemaic
ἀρτάβη about 48 quarts (= 1
μέδιμνος): the Spartan
medimnus about 65 quarts: the Ptolemaic
medimnus about 96 quarts or 3 bushels.
[p. 2.1002]
TABLE X.
ROMAN MEASURES OF CAPACITY.
II.
ATTIC DRY MEASURES. |
Gallons. |
Pints. |
Approximate. |
Gallons. |
Pints. |
Ligula |
|
.02 |
|
1/48 |
4 |
CYATHUS
5
|
|
.08 |
|
1/12 |
6 |
1 1/2 |
Acetabulum |
|
.12 |
|
1/8 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
Quartarius, i.
e. 1-4th of the Sextarius |
|
.24 |
|
1/4 |
24 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
Hemina or
Cotyla |
|
.48 |
|
1/2 |
48 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
SEXTARIUS i. e.
1-6th of the Congius |
|
.96 |
|
1 |
384 |
96 |
64 |
32 |
16 |
8 |
Semimodius |
|
7.68 |
1 |
|
768 |
192 |
128 |
64 |
32 |
16 |
2 |
MODIUS
|
1 |
7.36 |
2 |
|
[p. 2.1003]
TABLE XI.
N.B.--One pound
avoirdupois is exactly 7,000 grains:
one ounce
avoirdupois is 437 1/2 grains. 1
gramme is 15.43234 grains.
(A.) Various Oriental Weights.
|
Grammes. (Appriximate.) |
Grains. (Approximate.) |
Avoirdupois,
(Approximate.) |
1. Egyptian. |
|
|
|
Kat |
9 |
140 |
1/3
oz. |
10 |
Outen or Ten |
90 |
1400 |
3 1/5
oz. |
2. Babylonian
Heavy Gold. |
|
|
|
Shekel |
16.83 |
260 |
3/5
oz. |
50 |
Mina |
841.5 |
13,000 |
1 lb. 13 5/7
oz. |
3000 |
60 |
Talent |
50,490 |
780,000 |
111 3/7
lbs. |
3. Babylonian
Heavy Silver. |
|
|
|
Shekel |
22.4 |
344 |
4/5
oz. |
50 |
Mina |
1,122 |
17,200 |
2 lbs. 7 1/3
oz. |
3000 |
60 |
Talent |
67,320 |
1,032,000 |
147 3/7
lbs. |
4. Babylonian
Light Gold and Light Silver Standards were exactly half the
heavy gold and heavy silver respectively, so that: |
|
|
|
Light Gold
Shekel |
8.41 |
130 |
3/10
oz. |
Light Silver
Shekel |
11.2 |
172 |
2/5
oz. |
5. Phoenician
Silver. |
|
|
|
Shekel |
14.9 |
230 |
6/11
oz. |
50 |
Mina |
745 |
11,500 |
1 lb. 10 2/7
oz. |
3000 |
60 |
Talent |
44,700 |
690,000 |
98 4/7
lbs. |
(B.) Aeginetan and Attic Commerical Weights.
|
Grammes. |
Grains. |
Obol. |
1.05 |
16 |
6 |
Drachm |
6.30 |
97 |
12 |
2 |
Didrachm
(στατήρ) |
12.60 |
195 |
600 |
100 |
50 |
Mina |
630 |
9,750 |
36,000 |
6000 |
3000 |
60 |
Talent |
37,800 |
585,000 |
(C.) Euboic Weights.
|
Grammes. |
Grains. |
Drachm |
4.20 |
65 |
2 |
Stater |
8.40 |
130 |
100 |
50 |
Mina |
420 |
6,500 |
6000 |
3000 |
60 |
Talent |
25,200 |
390,000 |
N.B.--Just as the Euboic drachm is 1/3 of the Aeginetan stater, so the
Corinthian drachm is 1/3 of the Euboic stater. See Vol. II., p. 449
b.
(D.) Attic Weights (Solonian Coinage).
|
Grammes. |
Grains. |
Drachm |
4.40 |
67.5 |
2 |
Didrachm or
Stater |
8.80 |
135 |
100 |
50 |
Mina |
440 |
6,750 |
6000 |
3000 |
60 |
Talent |
26,400 |
405,000 |
N.B.--It will be seen that the ratio of the Aeginetan stater (195 gr.) to the
Attic (135 gr.) is a good deal larger than 100:73 or 138:100 or 83 1/3 :60,
which are the ratios ascribed to Solon's reduction of the Attic coinage.
[p. 2.1004]
TABLE XII.
GRECIAN MONEY (valued by Weight).
6
I. ATTIC
COPPER AND SILVER. |
£ |
s.
|
d.
|
Farthings. |
Lepton
(Λεπτόν) |
|
|
|
.10 |
7 |
Chalcus
(Χαλκοῦς |
|
|
|
.75 |
14 |
2 |
Dichalcon, or
Quarter Obol (Δίχαλκον) |
|
|
|
1.5 |
28 |
4 |
2 |
Half Obol
(Ἡμιωβόλιον) |
|
|
|
3 |
56 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
OBOL (Ὀβολός) |
|
|
1 |
1 |
112 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
Diobolus
(Διώβολον) |
|
|
2 |
2 |
168 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
1 1/2 |
Triobolus
(Τριώβολον) |
|
|
3 |
3 |
224 |
32 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1 1/3 |
Tetrobolus
(Τετρώβολον) |
|
|
5 |
0 |
336 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
DRACHMA (Δραχμή) |
|
|
8 |
2 |
672 |
96 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
Didrachm
(Δίδραχμον) |
|
1 |
5 |
0 |
1344 |
192 |
96 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
Tetradrachm
(Τετράδραχμον |
|
2 |
9 |
3 |
33,600 |
4800 |
2400 |
1200 |
600 |
300 |
200 |
150 |
100 |
50 |
25 |
MINA (Μνᾶ) |
3 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
2,016,000 |
288,000 |
144,000 |
72,000 |
36,000 |
18,000 |
12,000 |
9000 |
6000 |
3000 |
1500 |
60 |
TALENT
(Τάλαντον) |
210 |
18 |
9 |
0 |
[p. 2.1005]
TABLE XIII.
ROMAN WEIGHTS.
I.
THE UNCIAL DIVISIONS OF THE POUND. |
Grammes. |
Avoirdupois
Weight. |
Oz. |
Grs. |
UNCIA
|
27.288 |
|
430.83 1/3 7 |
1 1/2 |
Sescuncia, or
Sescunx |
40.932 |
1 |
203.75 |
2 |
1 1/3 |
Sextans |
54.576 |
1 |
404.16 2/3 |
3 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
Quadrans, or
Teruncius |
81.864 |
2 |
168.7500 |
4 |
2 1/3 |
2 |
1 1/3 |
Triens |
109.152 |
3 |
270.83 1/3 |
5 |
3 1/3 |
2 1/2 |
1 2/3 |
1 1/4 |
Quincunx |
136.440 |
4 |
354.16 2/3 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
1 1/5 |
SEMIS, or Semissis |
163.728 |
5 |
337.5 |
7 |
4 1/3 |
3 1/2 |
2 1/3 |
1 3/4 |
1 2/5 |
1 1/6 |
Septunx |
191.016 |
6 |
320.33 1/3 |
8 |
5 1/3 |
4 |
2 2/3 |
2 |
1 3/5 |
1 1/3 |
1 1/7 |
Bes, or Bessis |
218.304 |
7 |
104.16 2/3 |
9 |
6 |
4 1/2 |
3 |
2 1/4 |
1 4/5 |
1 1/2 |
1 2/7 |
1 1/8 |
Dordans |
245.592 |
8 |
277.5 |
10 |
6 1/3 |
5 |
3 1/3 |
2 1/2 |
2 |
1 2/3 |
1 3/7 |
1 1/4 |
1 1/9 |
Dextans |
272.880 |
9 |
270.83 1/3 |
11 |
7 1/3 |
5 1/2 |
3 2/3 |
2 3/4 |
2 1/5 |
1 5/6 |
1 4/7 |
1 3/8 |
1 2/9 |
1 1/10 |
Deunx |
300.168 |
10 |
260.83 1/3 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 2/5 |
2 |
1 5/7 |
1 1/2 |
1 1/3 |
1 1/5 |
1 1/11 |
AS or LIBRA |
327.456 |
118 |
237.59 |
[p. 2.1006]
TABLE XIV.
ROMAN WEIGHTS.
II.
SUBDIVISIONS OF THE UNCIA. |
Grains. |
Siliqua |
2.9224 |
3 |
Obolus |
8.767361 |
6 |
2 |
SCRUPULUM
|
17.53472 |
12 |
4 |
2 |
Semisextula |
35.0694 |
24 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
SEXTULA
|
70.138 |
36 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
1 1/2 |
Sicilicus |
105.2083 |
48 |
16 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
1 1/13 |
Duella |
140.277 |
72 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 1/2 |
Semuncia |
120.416 |
144 |
48 |
24 |
12 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
UNCIA
|
420.833 |
1728 |
576 |
288 |
144 |
72 |
48 |
36 |
24 |
12 |
AS or LIBRA |
5050 |
[p. 2.1007]
TABLE XV.
NORMAL WEIGHTS OF ROMAN COINS IN ENGLISH GRAINS.
|
B.C. 350. |
B.C. 269.10 |
B.C. 210.11 |
B.C. 89. |
Augustus.12 |
Nero. |
Caracalla.13 |
GOLD.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aureus |
|
|
52.5 |
|
126. |
112. |
101 |
SILVER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denarius |
|
70 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
52 |
|
Quinarius |
|
35 |
30 |
|
30 |
26 |
|
Sestertius |
|
17.5 |
15 |
|
15 |
|
|
Victoriatus |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
Antoninianus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
84 |
COPPER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sestertius (brass) |
|
|
|
|
420 |
420 |
|
Dupondius (brass) |
|
|
|
|
210 |
210 |
|
As (libella) |
5050 |
1750 |
421 |
210 |
200? |
200 |
|
Semis |
2525 |
875 |
210 |
105 |
100? |
|
|
The gold
solidus of Constantine and his
successors weighed a little over 80 grains.
N.B.--The English sovereign weighs 123.27447 grains; the shilling 87.27272
gr.; the penny 145.83333 gr. These weights form the basis of Table XVI.
[p. 2.1008]
TABLE XVI.
ROMAN COINS COMPARED, IN WEIGHT, WITH ENGLISH.
|
B.C. 350. |
B.C. 269. |
B.C. 210. |
B.C. 89. |
Augustus. |
Nero. |
Caracalla. |
GOLD.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aureus |
|
|
£1
7/40 |
|
£1/45 |
£10/11 |
£9/11 |
SILVER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denarius |
|
4/5 s. |
11/16s. |
11/16s. |
11/16s. |
3/5 s. |
|
Quinarius |
|
2/5 s. |
1 1/32s. |
|
1 1/32s. |
3/10s. |
|
Sestertius |
|
1/5 s. |
11/64s. |
|
11/64s. |
|
|
Victoriatus |
|
|
|
33/64s. |
|
|
|
Antoninianus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 8/29s. |
COPPER.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sestertius (brass) |
|
|
|
|
2 7/8 d. |
2 7/8 d. |
|
Dupondius (brass) |
|
|
|
|
1 7/16d. |
1 7/16d. |
|
As |
34 1/2 d. |
12d. |
2 7/8 d. |
1 7/16d. |
1 3/8 d. (?) |
1 3/8 d. |
|
Semis |
17 1/4 d. |
6d. |
1 7/16d. |
3/4 d. |
|
|
|
NOTE.--The above table gives a good idea of the
size of the coin, but not so accurate a notion of
its
intrinsic value, for the English sovereign
contains 1/12th alloy, the shilling 3/40ths alloy, the penny 1/20th alloy.
The intrinsic value of a gold coin may be determined from the fact that the
Bank of England is bound to buy gold bullion at the fixed rate of
£3 17
s. 9
d. per
oz. Troy of 480 grs. Hence, for instance, the
aureus of Augustus would fetch £1 0
s. 9 1/2
d. But the price of silver
bullion is not fixed, and has varied within the last 20 years from 5
s. to 3
s. 8
d. per oz. Troy; and similarly the value of copper
varies. The relative values, again, of gold to silver and of silver to
copper fluctuated considerably in ancient times, as they do now, and the
intrinsic values of e. g. the
aureus to the
denarius, taken now, would not correspond
to their relative values of 1 aureus = 25 denarii. Cf. also the article As.
For practical purposes, the
aureus of Augustus =
£1 sterling; the
denarius = 1 franc
(9 3/5
d.); the
sestertius = 2 2/5
d. or 1/100th of
£1. A sum given in
sestertii may be
converted into pounds sterling by dividing it by 100.