Roman Weights and MeasuresThe Pes, or foot, was variously divided. It contained 4 Palmi or handbreadths, each of which was therefore 3 inches long—and it contained 16 Digiti, or finger breadths, each of which was therefore three-quarters of an inch long—and it contained 12 Unciae, or inches: any number of which was used to signify the same number of ounces. Cubitus, a cubit, was 1½ feet long—Pollex, a thumb's breadth, 1 inch—Palmipes, a foot and hand's breadth, i.e. 15 inches long—Pertica, a perch, 10 feet long—the lesser Actus was a space of ground 120 feet long by four broad—the greater Actus was 120 feet square—two square Actus made a Jugerum, or acre, which contained therefore 28,000 square feet. Roman Weights and Measures - The Pound
The principal Weight in use among the Romans, was the pound, called As or Libra, which was equal to 12 oz. avoirdupoise, or 16 oz. It was divided into twelve ounces, the names of which were as follow: Uncia, 1 oz *** Sextans, 2 oz *** Triens, 3 oz *** Quadrans, 4 oz *** Quincunx, 5 oz *** Septunx, 7 oz *** Bes, 8 oz *** Dodrans, 9 oz *** Dextans, 10 oz *** Deunx, 11 oz. The As and its divisions were applied to anything divided into twelve parts, as well as to a pound weight. The twelfth part of an acre was called Uncia and half a foot, Semis etc.
Roman Weights and Measures - Dry Weights
The Measures for Dry Weights Modius, a peck *** Semimodius, a gallon—Sextanus, a pint—Hemina, one-half pint, and 3 smaller measures, for which we have not equivalent names in English *** One Modius contained 2 Semimodii *** each Semimodius contained 8 Sextarii *** each Sextarius, 2 Heminae *** each Hemina, 4 Acetabula *** each Acetabulum, 1½ Cyathi *** each Cyathus, 4 Ligulae. *** Dodrans, 9 oz Roman Weights and Measures - Liquid Measures
The Liquid Measures of Capacity were the Culeus, which was equal to 144½ gallons—it contained 20 Amphorae or Quadrantales—each Amphora, 2 Urnae—each Urna, 4 Congii—each Congius, 6 Sextarii—and each Sextarius, 2 Quartarii or naggins—each Quartarius, 2 Heminae—each Hemina, 3 Acetabula or glasses—each Acetabulum, 1½ Cyathi—and each Cyathus, 4 Ligulae. Roman Weights and Measures
The content of this Roman Weights and Measures category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting different categories containing the history, facts and information about Ancient Rome. |
