Length
Some Greek measures of length were named after parts of the body, such as the δάκτυλος (daktylos, plural: daktyloi) or finger, and the ποῦς (pous, plural: podes) or foot. The values of the units varied according to location and epoch (e.g., in Aegina a pous was approximately 333 mm (13.1 in), whereas in Athens (Attica) it was about 296 mm (11.7 in)), but the relative proportions were generally the same throughout the Greek world. Different values are found in different sources; Hutton (1795) gives 12.084 inches (306.9 mm) for the Greek foot, while Smith (1851) gives 12.135 in (308.2 mm).
| Unit | Greek name | Equal to | Metric equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| daktylos | δάκτυλος | 19.3 mm | finger | |
| kondylos | κόνδυλος | 2 daktyloi | 38.5 mm | |
| palaistē or dōron | παλαιστή, δῶρον | 4 daktyloi | 77.1 mm | palm |
| dichas or hēmipodion | διχάς, ἡμιπόδιον | 8 daktyloi | 154.1 mm | half foot |
| lichas | λιχάς | 10 daktyloi | 192.6 mm | |
| orthodōron | ὀρθόδωρον | 11 daktyloi | 211.9 mm | |
| spithamē | σπιθαμή | 12 daktyloi | 231.2 mm | span of all fingers |
| pous | ποῦς | 16 daktyloi | 308.2 mm | foot |
| pygmē | πυγμή | 18 daktyloi | 346.8 mm | |
| pygōn | πυγών | 20 daktyloi | 385.3 mm | |
| pēchys | πῆχυς | 24 daktyloi | 462.3 mm | cubit |
| Except where noted, based on Smith (1851). Metric equivalents are approximate. | ||||
| Unit | Greek name | Equal to | Metric equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pous | ποῦς | 0.308 m | foot | |
| haploun bēma | ἁπλοῦν βῆμα | 2.5 podes | 0.77 m | single pace |
| bēma, diploun bēma | βῆμα, διπλοῦν βῆμα | 5 podes | 1.54 m | double pace |
| orgyia | ὀργυιά | 6 podes | 1.85 m | fathom |
| kalamos, akaina or dekapous | κάλαμος, ἄκαινα, δεκάπους | 10 podes | 3.08 m | |
| hamma | ἅμμα | 60 podes | 18.5 m | |
| plethron | πλέθρον | 100 podes | 30.8 m | |
| stadion | στάδιον | 600 podes | 184.9 m | |
| diaulos | δίαυλος | 2 stadia | 369.9 m | |
| hippikon | ἱππικόν | 4 stadia | 739.7 m | |
| milion | μίλιον | 8 stadia | 1479 m | Roman mile |
| dolichos | δόλιχος | 12 stadia | 2219 m | |
| parasanges | παρασάγγες | 30 stadia | 5548 m | adopted from Persia |
| schoinos | σχοινός | 40 stadia | 7397 m | adopted from Egypt |
| Except where noted, based on Smith (1851). Metric equivalents are approximate. | ||||
Read more about this topic: Ancient Greek Units Of Measurement
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