Weight
Weights are often associated with currency since units of currency involve prescribed amounts of a given metal. Thus for example the English pound has been both a unit of weight and a unit of currency. Greek weights similarly bear a nominal resemblance to Greek currency yet the origin of the Greek standards of weights is often disputed. There were two dominant standards of weight in the eastern Mediterranean - a standard that originated in Euboea and that was subsequently introduced to Attica by Solon, and also a standard that originated in Aegina. The Attic/Euboean standard was supposedly based on the barley corn, of which there were supposedly twelve to one obol. However, weights that have been retrieved by historians and archeologists show considerable variations from theoretical standards. A table of standards derived from theory is as follows:
-
-
Unit Greek name Equivalent Attic/Euboic standard Aeginetic standard obol or obolus ὀβολός 0.72g 1.05g drachma δραχμή 6 obols 4.31g 6.3g mina μνᾶ 100 drachmae 431g 630g talent τάλαντον 60 minae 25.86 kg 37.8 kg
-
Read more about this topic: Ancient Greek Units Of Measurement
Famous quotes containing the word weight:
“Europe has lived on its contradictions, flourished on its differences, and, constantly transcending itself thereby, has created a civilization on which the whole world depends even when rejecting it. This is why I do not believe in a Europe unified under the weight of an ideology or of a technocracy that overlooked these differences.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)
“Personal example carries more weight than preaching.”
—Chinese proverb.
“A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.”
—Bible: Hebrew Proverbs 11:1.