Greek units of measurement

Traditional Greek units of measurement were standardized and used in modern Greece before and alongside the adoption of the metric system in 1836. Metric units were finally made legally compulsory in 1922.

Units used before the metric system

Length

One ''piki'' varied from 0.640 m to 0.670 m.

1 ''pic'' was equal to 1 piki.

The ''small piki'' of Constantinople (also known as the ''endeze'') was equal to 0.648 m

The ''large piki'' of Constantinople (also known as the ''arsin'') was equal to 0.669 m

A masonry ''piki'' (also known as the ''meimar zire'') was equal to 0.750 m.

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. The ''piki'' was sometimes regarded as equal to a metre and a kilometre was called a ''stadion''.

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

Mass

Units used to measure mass were:

1 ''dramme'' = 3.2 g

1 '' livre'' (also known as a pound) (Venetian) = 450 g

1 '' mina'' = 1.5 kg

1 '' royal mine'' 1.5 kg

1 ''oka'' = 0.85331 royal mine = 1.280 kg =

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. One ''tseki'' was 176 ''oka'' in Istanbul and 136 ''oka'' in Thessaloniki.

Area

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

Capacity

Units used to measure capacity include:

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.

References

{{Systems of measurement

Greek culture
Greece