_chalcus_ (i. e. _æreus_), thus [symbol]; but if the χ has ο, _chus_
(i. e. _congius_), thus [symbol]; but if οι, _chœnix_, thus [symbol];
but if η, _cheme_, thus [symbol]; Κ if it has ε placed above it, and
a straight line obliquely intersecting the lower curvature of it
indicates _ceration_ (i. e. _siliqua_), thus [symbol]; but if the Κ has
υ, _cyathus_, thus [symbol] and if ο _cotyle_ (i. e. _hemina_), thus
[symbol]. The circumflex line not surrounded by anything, and placed
altogether obliquely, indicates _obolus_, thus 𐅼; but if there are
two lines not surrounded, they signify two oboli, thus 𐅽, which make
a _gramma_ (i. e. _scrupulum_), which is indicated by γ having ρ near
it, intersected by a straight line, thus [symbol]. Two lines united at
one extremity so as to make an angle, like the two wings which join the
straight line of the letter K, indicate _drachma_ (or _drachm_), which
is synonymous with _holca_, thus [symbol]. But the _holca_ is properly
indicated by λ with ο in its middle, thus [symbol]. But if the λ has ι,
it indicates _libra_ (a pound), thus [symbol]. Some, however, indicate
a pound, by another line intersecting the line of the λ obliquely,
thus [symbol]. But Γ having the letter o within its angle, signifies
_uncia_ (an _ounce_), thus [symbol]. The letter μ having ν in its
middle, indicates _mna_, or _mina_, thus [symbol]; but if the μ has
υ, it indicates _mystrum_, thus [symbol]; but if ε, _medimnus_, thus
[symbol]; and if ο, _modius_, thus [symbol]. The letter τ followed by a
ρ with a υ about it, indicates _tryblium_, thus [symbol]. The letter χ,
if it has ε placed above it, indicates _xestes_ (i. e. _sextarius_), thus
[symbol]. But if it has ο written above, it signifies _oxybaphum_ (i.
e. _acetabulum_), thus [symbol]. Some indicate a sextarius by a χ, with
a straight line intersecting it, thus [symbol]. The letter η, having μ
placed above it, indicated _hemina_, thus [symbol]. The letter κ prefixed
to ρ, and having μ placed above it, indicates _ceramium_, thus [symbol].
_On Weights._
The Attic and Egyptian _mna_ (i. e. _mina_) contains oz. xvj.
The Roman mina ” oz. xx.
The _libra_ (i. e. _pound_) ” oz. xij.
The _uncia_ (i. e. _ounce_) ” dr. viij.
The _drachma_ (i. e. _drachm_) ” scr. iij.
The _scrupulus_ (i. e. _scruple_) ” oboli ij.
The _obolus_ contains ceratia or siliquæ iij.
The _siliqua_ contains chalci (i. e. _ærei_ or _æreoli_) ij. and ⅔.
So that an obolus contains viij æreoli.
_On the Measures of Liquids._
The Italic _ceramium_ contains choes (or _congii_) viij.
The _chus_ or _congius_ contains sextarii vj.
The _sextarius_ contains cotylæ ij, which are also called
tryblia.
The _cotyla_, or _tryblium_, contains great mystra iij, but
acetabula iv.
The _great mystrum_ contains acetabulum j, and a third.
The _acetabulum_ contains cyathus j, and a half.
The _cyathus_ contains _small chemæ_, or _small mystra_ ij.
But if you would wish to know the measure of the weights of liquids (for
there are many differences of liquid substances according to weight),
we shall illustrate this by the example of oil, wine, and honey. Honey,
then, is heavier than wine by a fourth part, and a tenth part more, which
makes altogether almost a third part. For the same measure of honey as
of wine contains the weight of the wine and a third part more. Honey is
heavier than oil by one half; for it contains the whole weight of the
oil, and a half part of the weight besides. Wine exceeds oil by a ninth
part, for it contains the whole weight of the oil and a ninth part more.
In order to make this appear more manifest, we shall subjoin, as in a
diagram, the proportion of the particular measures, it being obvious that
the words _oil_, _wine_, and _honey_, are to be understood as expressed
in every line of the series.
The Italian _Of oil._ _Of wine._ _Of honey._
Ceramium contains lib. lxxij lib. lxxx lib. cviij.
Chus, or congius lib. ix lib. x lib. xiiss.
Sextarius oz. xviij oz. xx oz. xxvij.
Cotyle or hemina oz. ix oz. x oz. xiiiss.
Great mystrum oz. iij oz. iij, scr. viij oz. ivss.
Acetabulum dr. xviij oz. ij, scr. xij oz. iij, scr. ix.
Cyathus dr. xij oz. iss, scr. iv oz. ij, dr. ij.
Small mystrum dr. vj scr. xx dr. ix.
Oribasius says, on the authority of Adamantius, that the Italian
sextarius of wine contains oz. xxiv by measure, but lb. j oz. viij by
weight; and that a sextarius of honey contains lb. iiss by weight.
_On the Measures of Dry Substances._
The Egyptian _artaba_ contains modii iij.
The Egyptian and Italian _modius_ contains chœnices viij.
The _chœnix_ contains sextarii ij.
The _sextarius_ contains two semisextarii, which are called
heminæ.
The _hemina_ contains cyathi viij.
The Attic _medimnus_ contains hemiecta xij.
The _hemiecton_ contains chœnices iv. Hence the medimnus
contains modii vj, chœnices xlviij, and sextarii xcvj.
But of these it is not easy to give the weight, because of dry things the
difference, according to the inclination of the balance, is immense.
_The end of the Seventh and Last Book of_ PAULUS ÆGINETA.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. See, further, Galenus (De Pond. et Mens.); Cleopatra (De
P. et M.); Celsus (v, 17); Pliny (H. N. xxi, 34); Rhemnus Fannius (De
Pond. et Metr.); Marcellus Empiricus; Pollux (Onomast.); Hesychius et
Suidas (pluries); Serapion (de Antid. vii, 37); Avicenna (v, 2, 8.) The
best modern writers on the weights and measures of the ancients are,
Arbuthnot (On Ancient Coins, Weights, and Measures); Milligan (Præfatio
et Notæ in Celsum); Poucton (Métrologie); Raper (Philosoph. Transact.
London, 1770, 1771); J. F. Wurm (De Pond. &c.); Conger (Weights,
Measures, &c. of the Greeks and Romans.)
Since a proper knowledge of this subject is indispensably necessary, in
order to attain a practical acquaintance with ancient pharmacy, we shall
not scruple to avail ourselves freely of the information contained in
the works of the modern authorities referred to above. It will be seen,
that in the following sketch, we have followed Arbuthnot very closely;
indeed, it is proper to mention, that when we originally wrote this, our
concluding Commentary, we were not acquainted with the labours of Wurm
and Conger. We now remark that, although the later authorities agree with
Arbuthnot on general principles, they differ from him on a few points, as
will be perceived upon a comparison of his tables with those of Conger.
The discrepance between them, we find, arises from two causes, only one
of which, it will be observed, is of any practical importance. First:
Arbuthnot mixes the fractional with the decimal mode of computation,
whilst Conger uses the decimal method alone. Second: They give different
estimates of the length of the Pes. For example, Arbuthnot states the
contents of the _ligula_ to be ¹⁄₄₈ pint, and the decimals ·117⁵⁄₁₂ solid
inch; whereas Conger rates it at the decimals ·62 pint, or the decimals
·69 solid inch. Now the 48th part of a pint equals the decimal ·6, which,
when added to the former decimals ·117 solid inch, amounts to ·717: the
difference between this number and ·69 is ·027, which being multiplied
successively by the tabular values of the ligula, cyathus, acetabulum,
&c., and the product divided by the number of solid inches in a pint,
gives 12 pints, or 1 gal. 2 qts. as the difference between Arbuthnot’s
and Conger’s contents of the amphora. By Arbuthnot’s table the contents
of the amphora is 7 gal. 1 pint, 10·66 solid inches; by Conger’s, it is 5
gal. 2 qts. 1 pint, and the decimal ·64 of a pint. For example,
_gal._ _qts._ _pts._ _sol. inch._
Arbuthnot’s amphora = 7 0 1 10·66
Conger’s ” = 5 2 1
---------------------------
Difference 1 2 0 10·66
The Pes is the standard from which the contents of the amphora, and of
the other names of weights and measures in the table are deduced; and,
as our authorities assign slightly different estimates to the length of
the pes, the other measures in the table are consequently affected by
this difference in the assumed standard. Arbuthnot assumes the pes to be
11·604 inches, whereas Conger, with the later authorities, makes it to be
·97075 ft. or 11·649 inches. Now the amphora, being the cube of the pes,
equals, according to Arbuthnot, 1562·5112 solid inches, whereas the cube
of Conger’s pes makes the amphora to contain 1580·75 solid inches.
Having thus pointed out the source of the discrepance between the tables
of Arbuthnot and the later authorities, we shall now proceed with our
extracts, beginning with Dr. Milligan, who, although he can have no
pretensions to be reckoned an original authority on the subject, has been
particularly fortunate in giving from Targa and Arbuthnot, a very lucid
exposition of the weights, measures, and characters, which occur in the
works of Celsus.
Extracts from Dr. Milligan’s edition of Celsus.
_Characterum in Celso obvenientium Tabula._
P = Pondo: cum aliis notis junctum quasi pondere; Anglice,
_by weight_, significat.
P., per se = 1 Libra.
𐆖 = 1 Denarius.
𐆐 non per se = 1 sextantem denominationis antecedentis signat.
𐆐 per se = fere unius drachmæ sextantem.
𐆐 𐆐 = 2 sextantis.
⍪ = 1 sextantem.
— = ½ sextantis.
Z = 1 sextantem.
8 = 1 sextantem.
Porro P. 𐆐, P ⍪, P Z, P 8, characteres compositi sunt, qui omnino
secundum tabulam superiorem, libræ sextantem singuli significant. Pari
quoque ratione, P. 𐆖. 𐆐, P. 𐆖. ⍪, P. 𐆖. Z, P. 𐆖. 8, denarii sextantem,
vel unciæ quadrigesimam secundam partem designat.
Notæ Celsi lectoribus negotii nonnihil facessere solent. Cum ipso igitur,
id anticipandum nobis erit; ut ponderum divisio quam decimo septimo
libri quinti capite descripsit, hic quasi prærogetur.
Libra } { Uncias duodecim.
Uncia } { Denarios septem.
Denarius } valet { Sextantes sex.
Sextans } { Obolum unum.
Obolus } { Scrupulum dimidium.
Denarius autem (Greaves, Diss. on the Denarius) grana 62 (_English Troy
weight_) habebat; unde unciæ essent 434, sextanti ejus 10⅓ grana; fere
scrupulum dimidium, ut Celsus, loco citato, docet.
His præposites scire licet,
ά. _Notam P._, per se libram significare.
β´. _Notam_ 𐆐, sextatem indifferenter significare, sed non drachmæ magis
quam libræ, vel cujuslibet denominationis præcedentis, sextantem. Sic
_Notam_ P. 𐆐, uncias duas æquare.
γ´. _Notam_ 𐆐 𐆐, duos sextantes indicare.
δ´. _Notam_ 𐆑, sextantis dimidium representare.
έ. _Notam_ 𐆖, Denarium indicare 𐆐 ⅐ unciæ. Quam vero notam, propter
similitudinem, librarii sæpe cum X, _decem_ indicante confundunt. Nam 𐆖,
perinde ac X decem olim significabat.
Videmus ergo _Notam_ P, libram esse; cum aliis autem notis _pondo_
significat, quasi _pondere_ (Anglice _by weight_) adeo ut ista textus P.
𐆖 𐆐, Denarii sextantem _pondere_, vel grana 10⅓ indicet. Pari ratione P.
𐆖, denarius pondere, vel absolute denarius, qui grana 62, est.
Porro P. 𐆐, P Z, P 8, P⍪, libræ sextantem pondere: P. 𐆖. 𐆐, P. 𐆖 Z, P. 𐆖
8, P. 𐆖 ⍪, denarii sextantem, vel unciæ quadragesimam secundam partem,
designant.
_Constat_ 1. Denarium Romanum grana Trojana Britannica 62⁴⁄₇ pependisse.
2. Pedem Romanum pollicum Britannicorum 11·604 valuisse.
Ab his sequitur, pedem Romanum, ad pendulum latitudinis Londinii per
spatium inane, ad 62 Farenheiti thermometri calefactum, oscillans,
rationem habere quam 11·604 ad 39·1393. Porro congium Romanum ad congium
(_gallon_) Britannicum Imperialem, ut 189·64 ad 274, esse.
_Tabula Ponderum et Mensurarum Pliniana._
= 1 obolus = 10 chalci.
1 denarius argenteus = 1 drachma Attica = 6 oboli = 60 chalci.
1 cyathus = 10 drachmæ = 60 oboli = 600 chalci.
1 acetabulum = 15 drachmæ = 90 oboli = 900 chalci.
1 hemina = 60 drachmæ = 360 oboli = 3600 chalci.
1 mna = 100 drachmæ = 600 oboli = 6000 chalci.
_Tabula Ponderum Celsiana._
1 sextans = 1 obolus.
1 scrupulus = 2 + sextantes = 2 + oboli.
1 denarius = 3 scrupuli = 6 sextantes = 6 oboli.
1 uncia = 7 denarii = 21 scrupuli = 42 sextantes = 42 oboli.
Sed ut ostendemus, 1 denarius = 62 grana (Troy weight), hinc 62 grana =
1 denarius = 6 sextantes = 6 oboli; dividendo, 10⅓ grana = 1 sextans = 1
obolus.
_Tabula, pondera Trojana, tam mensurarum capacitatis, tam gravitatis,
Romanorum sistens._
Urna. Libra. Uncia. Denarius. Scrupulus. Sextans. Chalcus. Grana.
Amphora = 2 = 80 = 960 = 6720 = 20160 = 40320 = 403200 = 420480
Urna 1 = 40 = 480 = 3360 = 10080 = 26160 = 210600 = 210240
Congius ¼ = 10 = 120 = 840 = 2540 = 5040 = 50400 = 52920
Sextarius 1⅔ = 20 = 140 = 420 = 840 = 8400 = 8760
Libra 1 = 12 = 84 = 252 = 504 = 5040 = 5256
Hemina 8⁴⁄₇ = 60 = 180 = 360 = 3600 = 3759
Acetabulum 2⅐ = 15 = 45 = 90 = 900 = 939
Sesqi-cyathus 2⅐ = 15 = 45 = 90 = 900 = 939
Cyathus 1³⁄₇ = 10 = 30 = 60 = 600 = 626
Sescuncia 1½ = 10½ = 31½ = 63 = 630 = 657
Uncia 1 = 7 = 21 = 42 = 420 = 438
Cochleare 2½ = 7½ = 15 = 150 = 156
Drachma 1 = 3 = 6 = 60 = 62⁴⁄₇
Denarius 1 = 3 = 6 = 60 = 62⁴⁄₇
Scrupulus 1 = 2 = 20 = 20⅔
Scrupulus dimidiatus ½ = 1 = 10 = 10⅓
Obolus 1 = 10 = 10⅓
Sextans 1 = 10 = 10⅓
Chalcus 1 = 1¹⁄₃₆
Denario infra hanc lineam 62 grana, compendii numerique rotundandi
gratia tribuimus. Qui accuratiora volunt ⁴⁄₇ illud Grævii in valorem per
denariorum columnam ducant, et nostris superaddant.
Sed post tot annorum lapsum, quomodo ista pondera ad nostra Trojana
referamus? Diligentia antiquariorum illud perfacile effecit. Inclytus
enim _J. Grævesius_ Angliæ decus, pondus _Denarii_, per plurima
exemplarium centena, in Italicis aliisque cimeliis conservata, ipsa
statera trutinavit: et pondus omnium meliorum denariorum ad grana
Trojana 62⁴⁄₇ librare reperit. Sed cognito denarii, qui veteribus non
tantum nummus fuit, sed ponderis rerum arbiter, pondere, ceterarum
denominationum valorem calculo simplicissimo, in granis Trojanis habebis.
_Tabula Ponderum ac Mensurarum relationis quas passim Celsus usurpavit._
Septunx.
Semis. Bes.
Quincunx. Dodarans.
Triens. Dextans.
Quadrans. Deunx.
Sextans. Quævis
Unc. unctar.
1 Uncia 1 = ½ = ⅓ = ¼ = ⅕ = ⅙ = ⅐ = ⅛ = ⅑ = ⅒ = ¹⁄₁₁ = ¹⁄₁₂
2 Sextans 1 = ⅔ = ½ = ⅖ = ⅓ = ²⁄₇ = ¼ = ²⁄₉ = ⅕ = ²⁄₁₁ = ⅙
3 Quadrans 1 = ¾ = ⅗ = ½ = ³⁄₇ = ⅜ = ⅓ = ³⁄₁₀ = ³⁄₁₁ = ¼
4 Triens 1 = ⅘ = ⅔ = ⁴⁄₇ = ½ = ⁴⁄₉ = ⅖ = ⁴⁄₁₁ = ⅓
5 Quincunx 1 = ⅚ = ⁵⁄₇ = ⅝ = ⁵⁄₉ = ½ = ⁵⁄₁₁ = ⁵⁄₁₂
6 Semis 1 = ⁶⁄₇ = ²⁄₄ = ⅔ = ⅗ = ⁶⁄₁₁ = ½
7 Septunx 1 = ⅞ = ⁷⁄₉ = ⁷⁄₁₀ = ⁷⁄₁₁ = ⁷⁄₁₂
8 Bes 1 = ⁸⁄₉ = ⅘ = ⁸⁄₁₁ = ⅔
8 Octunx 1 = ⁸⁄₉ = ⅘ = ⁸⁄₁₁ = ⅔
9 Dodrans 1 = ⁸⁄₁₀ = ⁹⁄₁₁ = ¾
10 Dextans 1 = ¹⁰⁄₁₁ = ⅚
11 Deunx 1 = ¹¹⁄₁₂
Unc. |Characteres.
1 Uncia | ⊥
2 Sextans | 𐆐, Z
3 Quadrans | 𐆐 𐆑
4 Triens | 𐆐 𐆐
5 Quincunx | 𐆐 𐆑 𐆐
6 Semis | S. S.ʺ
7 Septunx | V.
8 Bes | 𐆑 S. 𐆑
8 Octunx | 𐆑 S 𐆑
9 Dodrans | S 𐆐 𐆑
10 Dextans | S 𐆐 𐆐
11 Deunx | S 𐆐 𐆑 𐆐
His cujusvis unitatis, libræ, unciæ, denarii, congii, partes duodecimæ,
hoc est unciæ, distributæ erant.
Extracts from Dr. ARBUTHNOT’S Tables of Ancient Coins, Weights, and
Measures.
1. _Roman Measures of Capacity for things Liquid._
English Wine Measure.
Gall. Pints. Sol. Inc.
Dec.
Ligula 0 0¹⁄₄₈ 0·117⁵⁄₁₂
+-----+
| 4| Cyathus 0 0¹⁄₁₂ 0·469⅔
+-----+------+
| 6| 1½| Acetabulum 0 0⅛ 0·704½
+-----+------+----+
| 12| 3 | 2| Quartarius 0 0¼ 1·409
+-----+------+----+----+
| 24| 6 | 4| 2| Hemina 0 0½ 2·818
+-----+------+----+----+----+
| 48| 12 | 8| 4| 2| Sextarius 0 1 5·636
+-----+------+----+----+----+---+
| 288| 72 | 48| 24| 12| 6| Congius 0 7 4·942
+-----+------+----+----+----+---+---+
| 1152| 288 | 192| 96| 48| 24| 4| Urna 3 4½ 5·33
+-----+------+----+----+----+---+---+--+
| 2304| 576 | 384| 192| 96| 48| 8| 2| Amphora 7 1 10·66
+-----+------+----+----+----+---+---+--+--+
|46080|11520 |7680|3840|1920|960|160|40|20| Culeus 143 3 11·095
+-----+------+----+----+----+---+---+--+--+-----------------------------
2. _Attic Measures of Capacity for things Liquid._
English Wine Measure.
Gall. Pints. Sol. Inc.
Dec.
Κοχλιάριον 0 ¹⁄₁₂₀ 0·0356
+------+
| 2 | Χήμη 0 ¹⁄₆₀ 0·0712
+------+------+
| 2½ | 1¼ | Μύστρον 0 ¹⁄₄₈ 0·089
+------+------+----+
| 5 | 2½ | 2| Κόγχη 0 ¹⁄₂₄ 0·178
+------+------+----+----+
| 10 | 5 | 4| 2| Κύαθος 0 ¹⁄₁₂ 0·356
+------+------+----+----+-----+
| 15 | 7½ | 6| 3| 1½ | Ὀξύβαφον 0 ⅛ 0·535
+------+------+----+----+-----+---+
| 60 | 30 | 24| 12| 6 | 4| Κοτύλη 0 ½ 2·141
+------+------+----+----+-----+---+---+
| 120 | 60 | 48| 24| 12 | 8| 2| Ξέστης 0 1 4·283
+------+------+----+----+-----+---+---+--+
| 720 | 360 | 288| 144| 72 | 48| 12| 6| Χόυς 0 6 25·698
+------+------+----+----+-----+---+---+--+--+
|8640 |4320 |3456|1728|864 |576|144|72|12| Μετρητής 10 2 19·626
+------+------+----+----+-----+---+---+--+--+---------------------------
3. _Attic Measures of Capacity for things Dry._
English Corn Measure.
Pecks. Gals. Pints. Sol. Inch.
Κοχλιάριον 0 0 0 0·276
+----+
| 10| Κύαθος 0 0 0 2·763
+----+-----+
| 15| 1½ | Ὀξύβαφον 0 0 0 4·144
+----+-----+---+
| 60| 6 | 4| Κοτύλη 0 0 0 16·579
+----+-----+---+---+
| 120| 12 | 8| 2| Ξέστης 0 0 0 33·158
+----+-----+---+---+----+
| 180| 18 | 12| 3| 1½ | Χοῖνιξ 0 0 1 15·705
+----+-----+---+---+----+--+
|8640|864 |576|144|72 |48| Μέδιμνος 4 0 6 3·501
+----+-----+---+---+----+--+---------------------------------------
N.B. Besides this _Medimnus_, which is the _Medicus_, there was a
_Medimnus Georgius_, equal to 6 Roman Modii.
4. _Less ancient Grecian and Roman Weights reduced to English Troy
Weight._
Lb. Oz. Dwts. Grs.
Lentes 0 0 0 0⁸⁵⁄₁₁₂
+----+
| 4| Siliquæ 0 0 0 3¹⁄₂₈
+----+----+
| 12| 3| Obolus 0 0 0 9³⁄₂₈
+----+----+---+
| 24| 6| 2| Scrupulum 0 0 0 18³⁄₁₄
+----+----+---+---+
| 72| 18| 6| 3| Drachma 0 0 2 6⁹⁄₁₄
+----+----+---+---+----+
| 96| 24| 8| 4| 1⅓ | Sextula 0 0 3 6⁶⁄₇
+----+----+---+---+---------+
| 144| 36| 12| 6| 2 | 1½ | Sicilicus 0 0 4 13²⁄₇
+----+----+---+---+----+----+----+
| 192| 48| 16| 8| 2⅔ | 2 | 1⅓ | Duella 0 0 6 1⁵⁄₇
+----+----+---+---+----+----+----+--+
| 576| 144| 48| 24| 8 | 6 | 4 | 3| Uncia 0 0 18 5⅐
+----+----+---+---+----+----+----+--+--+
|6912|1725|576|288|96 |72 |48 |36|12| Libra 0 10 18 13⁵⁄₇
+----+----+---+---+----+----+----+--+--+---------------------------
N.B. The Roman ounce is the English avoirdupois ounce which they divided
into 7 denarii as well as 8 drachms; and since they reckoned their
denarius equal to the Attic drachm, this will make the Attic weights ⅛
heavier than the correspondent Roman weights.
The above Tables are thus given by CONGER.
I. _Roman Measures of Capacity._
For Liquids (Unit: Amphora = 5⁷⁄₁₀ gallons).
Cub. inch.|Gal. Pints.
| Qts.
Ligula 0·69| 0·02
+-----+ |
| 4| Cyathus 2·74| 0·08
+-----+------+ |
| 6 1½| Acetabulum 4·12| 0·12
+------------+---+ |
| 12 3 2| Quartarius 8·23| 0·24
+----------------+----+ |
| 24 6 4 2| Hemina 16·47| 0·48
+---------------------+----+ |
| 48 12 8 4 2| Sextarius 32·93| 0·95
+--------------------------+---+ |
| 288 72 48 24 12 6| Congius 197·59| 2 1·70
+------------------------------+---+ |
| 1152 288 192 96 48 24 4| Urna 799·38| 2 3 0·82
+----------------------------------+--+ |
| 2304 576 384 192 96 48 8 2| Amphora 1580·75| 5 2 1·64
+-------------------------------------+--+ |
|46080 11520 7680 3840 1920 960 160 40 20| Culeus 31615·01|114 0 0·80
+----------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------
II. _Grecian Measures of Capacity._
For Liquids (Unit. Μετρητής = 8½ gallons).
Cub. inch.|
|
Κοχλιάριον 0·27|
+-----+ |
| 2 | Χήμη 0·55|
+-----+----+ |
| 2½ 1¼| Μύστρον 0·69|
+----------+---+ |
| 5 2½ 2| Κόγχη 1·37|
+--------------+----+ |
| 10 5 4 2| Κύαθος 2·74|
+-------------------+----+ |
| 15 7½ 6 3 1½| Ὀξύβαφον 4·12|
+------------------------+--+ |
| 30 15 12 6 3 2| Τέταρτον 8·23|
+---------------------------+---+ |
| 60 30 24 12 6 4 2| Κοτύλη 16·47|
+-------------------------------+---+ |
| 120 60 48 24 12 8 4 2| Ξέστης 32·93|
+-----------------------------------+--+ |
| 720 360 288 144 72 48 24 12 6| Χοῦς 197·59|
+--------------------------------------+--+ |
|4320 2160 1782 864 432 288 144 72 36 6| Διώτη 1185·56|
+-----------------------------------------+-+ Cub. ft. |
|8640 4320 3456 1728 864 576 288 144 72 12 2|Μετρητής 1 643·13|
+-------------------------------------------+ 10 13 1247·26|
| 100 137 375·60|
| 1000 1372 310· |
+-------------------+
|Gal. Qts. Pints.
|
Κοχλιάριον | 0·008
+-----+ |
| 2 | Χήμη | 0·016
+-----+----+ |
| 2½ 1¼| Μύστρον | 0·02
+----------+---+ |
| 5 2½ 2| Κόγχη | 0·04
+--------------+----+ |
| 10 5 4 2| Κύαθος | 0·08
+-------------------+----+ |
| 15 7½ 6 3 1½| Ὀξύβαφον | 0·12
+------------------------+--+ |
| 30 15 12 6 3 2| Τέταρτον | 0·24
+---------------------------+---+ |
| 60 30 24 12 6 4 2| Κοτύλη | 0·48
+-------------------------------+---+ |
| 120 60 48 24 12 8 4 2| Ξέστης | 0·95
+-----------------------------------+--+ |
| 720 360 288 144 72 48 24 12 6| Χοῦς | 2 1·70
+--------------------------------------+--+ |
|4320 2160 1782 864 432 288 144 72 36 6| Διώτη | 4 1 0·23
+-----------------------------------------+-+ |
|8640 4320 3456 1728 864 576 288 144 72 12 2| | 8 2 0·46
+-------------------------------------------+ | 85 2 0·60
| | 855 2 1·97
| |8557 1 1·70
+-----+--------------
III. _Grecian Measures of Capacity._
For things Dry (Unit. Μεδιμνος = 1½ bushels).
Cub. inch.|Bus. Pks. Qts.
| Pints.
Κοχλιάριον 0·22| ·008
+-----+ |
| 10| Κύαθος 2·74| ·079
+-----+-----+ |
| 15 1½| Ὀχύβαφον 4·12| ·12
+-----------+--+ |
| 60 6 4| Κοτύλη 16·47| ·48
+--------------+---+ |
| 120 12 8 2| Ξέστης 32·93| ·95
+------------------+--+ |
| 240 24 16 4 2| Χοῖνιξ 65·86| 1·90
+---------------------+--+ |
| 960 96 64 16 8 4| Ἡμίεκτον 263·46| 3 1·61
+------------------------+--+ |
| 1920 192 128 32 16 8 2| Ἑκτος 526·92| 7 1·21
+---------------------------+-+ |
| 3840 384 256 64 32 16 4 2| Τριτὸς 1053·83| 1 7 0·43
+-----------------------------+-+ Cub. ft. |
|11520 1152 768 192 96 48 12 6 3|Μέδιμνος 1 143·35| 1 1 5 1·28
+-------------------------------+ 10 18 511· | 14 1 0 0·8
| 100 182 1654· | 142 2 3 2·
| 1000 1829 989· |1426 0 7 2·
+--------------------+-------------------
IV. _Roman Weights._
(Unit: Libra = 10 oz. 10 dwts. 9·5 grs. Troy weight.)
Troy weight. |
|
|
Lb. Oz. Dwts. Grs.|
|
Siliqua 2·9|
+------+ |
| 3| Obolus 8·8|
+------+-----+ |
| 6 2| Scrupulum 17·5|
+------------+-----+ |
| 12 4 2| Semisextula 1 11·1|
+------------------+-----+ |
| 24 8 4 2| Sextula 2 22·1|
+------------------------+-----+ |
| 36 12 6 3 1½| Siciliquus 4 9·2|
+------------------------------+----+ |
| 48 16 8 4 2 1⅓| Duella 5 20·3|
+-----------------------------------+----+ |
| 72 24 12 6 3 2 1½| Semiuncia 8 18·4|
+----------------------------------------+---+ |
| 144 48 24 12 6 4 3 2| Uncia 17 12·8|
+--------------------------------------------+----+ |
| 1728 576 288 144 72 48 36 24 12| Libra 10 10 9·5|
+-------------------------------------------------+---+ |
| |Cent. |
| |pod. |
|172800 57600 28800 14400 7200 4800 3600 2400 1200 100| 87 7 19 17·1|
+-----------------------------------------------------+--------------+
| Avoirdupois
| weight.
|
|Lb. Oz. Dwts.
|
Siliqua | 0·11
+------+ |
| 3| Obolus | 0·32
+------+-----+ |
| 6 2| Scrupulum | 0·64
+------------+-----+ |
| 12 4 2| Semisextula | 1·28
+------------------+-----+ |
| 24 8 4 2| Sextula | 2·56
+------------------------+-----+ |
| 36 12 6 3 1½| Siciliquus | 3·85
+------------------------------+----+ |
| 48 16 8 4 2 1⅓| Duella | 5·13
+-----------------------------------+----+ |
| 72 24 12 6 3 2 1½| Semiuncia | 7·69
+----------------------------------------+---+ |
| 144 48 24 12 6 4 3 2| Uncia | 15·39
+--------------------------------------------+----+ |
| 1728 576 288 144 72 48 36 24 12| Libra | 11 8·67
+-------------------------------------------------+---+ |
|172800 57600 28800 14400 7200 4800 3600 2400 1200 100| |72 2 2·85
+-----------------------------------------------------+----+-----------
The denarius was the chief silver coin among the Romans. As a weight it
was the 7th part of a Roman ounce. It is from this standard that both the
value of the Roman weights and coins are deduced.
The industrious, learned, and honest Mr. Greaves affirms that having in
Italy and elsewhere perused many hundred _Denarii consulares_, he found,
by frequent and exact trial, the best of them to amount to 62 grains
English.
The Roman ounce is certainly our avoirdupois ounce; but I must own that I
have differed in a small matter from Mr. Greaves in settling the quantity
of Troy grains contained in an ounce avoirdupois. The denarius, according
to my supposition, will come out 62²²⁄₄₉ grains.
That the denarius was the 7th part of the Roman ounce is clear from
multitudes of passages. Celsus (v, 17): Sed et antea sciri volo in uncia
pondus denariorum esse septem.
Celsus divided the denarius into six parts, which he called, unciæ; uncia
being a general word for the division of any integer. This was done
in imitation of the Greek physicians, who, after the manner of their
country, divided their drachma into 6 oboli.
The common mark of the denarius was an X or 𐆖, in imitation of which,
among the Latin physicians, it grew to an *.