Greek units of measurement

A number of units of measurement were used in Greece to measure length, mass, area, and capacity. In Greece, the metric system has been used since 1836 and was made compulsory in 1922.[1][2]

Units used before the metric system

.

Length

One piki varied from 0.640 m to 0.670 m.[1]

1 pic was equal to 1 piki.[1][2]

The small piki of Constantinople (also known as the endeze) was equal to 0.648 m [1][2][3]

The large piki of Constantinople (also known as the arsin) was equal to 0.669 m [1][2][3]

A masonry piki (also known as the meimar zire) was equal to 0.750 m.[1][2][3]

Two types of piki were used to measure cloth. The measurement for silks was equal to 25 inches, and for linen and woolens it was equal to 27 inches.[4] The piki was sometimes regarded as equal to a metre and a kilometre was called a stadion.[4]

The metre was introduced in a royal decree of 1836, and was originally subdivided in 10 palms, 100 digits and 1000 lines.[3]

Mass

Units used to measure mass were:[1]

1 dramme = 3.2 g

1 livre (also known as a pound[2]) (Venetian) = 450 g

1 mina = 1.5 kg

1 royal mine 1.5 kg

1 oka = 0.85331 royal mine = 1.280 kg[1][2][3] =

1 stater = 56.32 kg

1 talanton = 150 kg.

One cantaro was equal to 44 oke, but the value varied from 112 to 128 lb depending on locality.[4][3] One tseki was 176 oka in Istanbul and 136 oka in Thessaloniki.[3]

Area

One stremma was equal to 1000 m2. The hectare varied from 900 - 2500 m2 depending on region.[3]

Capacity

Units used to measure capacity include:[1][2]

1 oka = 1.333 to 1.340 litres

1 baril = 74.236 litres.

A staro was equal to 3 bachels, and was also equal to 2.54835 bushels.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 95,96. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nikolantonakis, K (September 6–9, 2006), Weights and measures: The Greek efforts to integrate the metric system, Cracow, Poland: The Global and the Local: The History of Science and the Cultural Integration of Europe. Proceedings of the 2nd ICESHS, pp. 457–459
  4. 1 2 3 4 Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. p. 39.
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