Ancient Greek Units of Measurement - Length

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).

Smaller units of length
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.
Larger units of length
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.


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