Greek and Roman Money, Weights, and Measures Mentioned by Pliny
Acetabulum. R. 1 / 8 of a Sextarius,.1238 pint.
Actus. R. 120 Pedes or Roman feet.
Amphora. R. 48 Sextarii, 5 gall. 7.577 pints.
As. R. 2 1 / 8 farthings. Copper.
As. R weight. See “ Libra.”
Concha, Smaller, G and R..0412 pint.
Concha, Larger, G and R..1238 pint.
Congius. R. 5.9471 pints.
Cubitus. G. 1 foot 6.2016 inches.
Cubitus. R. 1 foot 5.4744 inches.
Culeus. R. 20 Amphoræ, 118 gall. 7.546 pints.
Cyathus. G and R. 1 / 12 of a Sextarius,.0825 pint.
Denarius. R. 16 Asses, 8 1 / 2 pence. Silver.
Denarius. R. weight. 52.5 to 60 grains.
Digitus, or Finger. R. 1 / 16 of a Pes,.7281 inch.
Drachma. G..63 grains.
Hemina. R. See “ Semisextarius.”
Jugerum. R. 240 Pedes or Roman feet by 120.
Libra, or Pound. R. 11 3 / 4 ounces 60.45 grains, avoird.
Mina. [In B. xii. c. 32—it is supposed by some that it is the Roman Libra that is meant, under the name of “Mina,” as containing eighty-four Denarii. If so, it must be the old Roman Libra, as it is more generally thought that the Libra of Pliny’s time contained ninety-six Denarii, of sixty grains, within a fraction.] G. 15 ounces 83.75 grains, avoird.
Modius. R. [dry measure]. 1 / 3 of an Amphora, 1 gall. 7.8576 pints.
Obolus, G. 1 1 / 2 pence +.5 farthings. Silver.
Obolus. G. weight. 10.5 grains.
Palmus, or Handbreadth. R. 2.9214 inches.
Passus, or Pace. [One thousand Paces made a Roman “Mille Passuum,” or Mile, 1618 yards English.] R. 5 Roman feet, 4 ft. 10.248 inches.
Pes, or Foot. R. 12 Unciæ, 11.6496 inches.
Pollex, or Thumb. R. See “ Uncia ” [lineal measure].
Quadrans. R..53125 farthings. Copper.
Quadrans. R weight. 3 Unciæ, 2 3 / 4 ounces 97.21 grs.
Quadrantal. R. See “ Amphora.”
Quartarius. R. 1 / 4 of a Sextarius,.2477 pint.
Quinarius. R. 1 / 2 of a Denarius.
Scripulum, or Scruple. R. 1 / 24 of an Uncia, 18.06 grains.
Semisextarius. R. 1 / 2 of a Sextarius.
Sestertius. R. 1 / 4 of a Denarius. Brass or Silver.
Sestertium. R. 1000 Sestertii, £7 16s. 3d.
Sextarius. R. 1 / 6 of a Congius,.9911 pint.
Spithama, or Span. G. 9.1008 inches.
Stadium. G and R. 1 / 8 of a Roman mile, 606 feet 9 in.
Teruncius. R. See “ Quadrans ” [weight & money].
Ulna, or Ell. R. 6 feet, 81 inch.
Uncia, or Inch. R. 1 / 12 of a Pes,.9708 inch.
Uncia, or Ounce. R. 1 / 12 of a Libra. 433.666 grs.
Urna. R. 1 / 2 of an Amphora.
Victoriatus. R. See “ Quinarius.”
The Schœnus, an Egyptian and Persian lineal measure, varied considerably; being sometimes thirty, and sometimes forty Stadia. See B. v. c. 11, B. vi. c. 30, and B. xii. c. 30.
The Attic Talent, as a weight, was equal to 56lb. 15 1 / 4 oz. 100.32 grains. The Commercial Talent was 85lb. 2 1 / 2 oz. 70.7 grs. The Silver Attic, or Great Talent, was in value £343 15s. or, according to Pollux, £406 5s. The Gold, or Sicilian Talent, was equal in weight to six Attic Drachmæ, or about 3 / 4 oz. and 71 grs. The Egyptian Talent, as a measure of weight, was equal to about twice the Attic Talent.
NATURAL HISTORY OF PLINY.