In the Roman weight system, the libra (pound) occupied a central position; this position was occupied in the Byzantine weight system by the logarike litra (recokening pound). The logarike litra is a continuation of the libra and is identical with it, as is the oungia (ounce), the twelfth part of the logarike litra, with the Roman uncia (ounce). Subdivisions within the Byzantine weight systems are as follows: 1 logarike litra = 12 oungiai = 72 exagia = 1,728 keratia = 6,912 sitokokka. The Byzantine litra may also refer to a pound of gold which is subdivided: 1 litra = 72 nomismata.
Wheat was purchased by the modios; that is, by the bushel. As a rile this was the sea bushel or thalassios modios (in weight, 40 logarike litrai); as a measure of capacity the sea bushel equals 17 liters. Two smaller measures of capacity are termed modios: the monasterikos modios (monastery bushel, which is 4/5 of a thalassios modios (approx. 13.6 liters) and the annonikos modios, which is two thirds of a thalassios modios (approx. 12.8 liters).
Wine was exchanged in Byzantium by the metron (measure). The largest measure is the thalassion metron (sea measure) (which is 10.2 liters); with smaller measures of capacity again being the monasterikos (at 8.2 L) and annonikos (at 8.2L). Oil was also purchased by the metron, in this case it seems only the thalassion (8.5L) and the annonikos (5.6L), as well as the tetartion (quarter).
All the units that have been discussed are official weights and measures; other systems are often employed at the local level.
Return to the Theben Tribunal Sourcebook
Last modified: Thurs Dec 10, 1998