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Inscribed fragment with list of public measures and weights
Greek, East Greek
Classical or Hellenistic Period
probably 4th century B.C.
Findspot: Anatolia (Turkey), Troad, Assos (Behramkale), North of the temple on the Acropolis
Medium/Technique
Marble
Dimensions
Overall: 29 x 18 x 10.5 cm (11 7/16 x 7 1/16 x 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Archaeological Institute of America
Accession Number84.44
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsInscriptions
DescriptionList of public measures and weights. Gray discoloration. Nine lines.
"These vessels are for public use under the authority of the agoranomos, Megistias son of Sogenes: three bronze vessels holding half a medimnos, nine holding half a sixth, ten holding two choinikes, (and) seven choinikes; four bronze vessels holding three choes, one holding half a chous, another with a funnel holding half a chous; bronze weights, three of a talent, ......weighing five minas..."
The agoranomos was a public official in Greek cities who supervised the commercial aspects of the agora and was in charge of the weight standards.
DRY MEASURES 1 medimnos = 48 choenikes = 192 kotylai 1 choenix = 4 kotylai 1 kotyle = 6 kyatho
LIQUID MEASURES 1 metretes = 12 choes = 144 kotylai = 864 kyathoi 1 chous = 12 kotylai = 72 kyathoi 1 kotyle = 6 kyathoi
UNITS OF RECKONING
1 talent = 60 minae = 6,000 drachmae
The talent and mina were measures of weight for large sums of money (coins or bullion) rather than coins.
see: http://www.tulane.edu/~august/H310/handouts/Coinage.htm
"These vessels are for public use under the authority of the agoranomos, Megistias son of Sogenes: three bronze vessels holding half a medimnos, nine holding half a sixth, ten holding two choinikes, (and) seven choinikes; four bronze vessels holding three choes, one holding half a chous, another with a funnel holding half a chous; bronze weights, three of a talent, ......weighing five minas..."
The agoranomos was a public official in Greek cities who supervised the commercial aspects of the agora and was in charge of the weight standards.
DRY MEASURES 1 medimnos = 48 choenikes = 192 kotylai 1 choenix = 4 kotylai 1 kotyle = 6 kyatho
LIQUID MEASURES 1 metretes = 12 choes = 144 kotylai = 864 kyathoi 1 chous = 12 kotylai = 72 kyathoi 1 kotyle = 6 kyathoi
UNITS OF RECKONING
1 talent = 60 minae = 6,000 drachmae
The talent and mina were measures of weight for large sums of money (coins or bullion) rather than coins.
see: http://www.tulane.edu/~august/H310/handouts/Coinage.htm
ProvenanceFrom Assos (Behramkale, Turkey); on the Acropolis, north of the temple, near the surface of the ground. May 10th, 1882: excavated by the Archaeological Institute of America; gift of the Archaeological Institute of America to MFA, January 15, 1884.