Libra. Measurements Converter

We only include several basic units here for you to convert historical units to contemporary ones. A more comprehensive list of metric units is available on the main weight conversion page.

We only include several basic units here for you to convert historical units to contemporary ones. A more comprehensive list of U.S. units is available on the main weight conversion page.

Many ancient weights were associated with currency designating the corresponding amount of silver. The same was true for Greek units of weight. There were two dominant weight standard, one originated in Euboea (second largest Greek island after Crete), the other was from Aegina. Archeologists have found though the real weights used in different cities varied greatly.

During ancient times Aegina was a rival of Athens, the great sea power of the era.

The base Roman unit of weight was libra (Roman pound) that contained 12 uncias. Modern estimates of the libra ranges from 322 to 329 grams with 328.9 grams an accepted figure. The base unit for coins was as that used to be 12 uncias initially and then gradually reduced to only half an uncia. Another silver coin was called denarius equal to 10 asses (from Latin dēnī - containing ten), it was later recalibrated to contain 16 asses or four sestertii. A literal meaning of each unit is given in parentheses.

Israelites initially followed Babylonian system of units, but the units were later altered. There were royal and common versions of units and each of these forms had heavy and light versions. Gradually the system reformed again under the Egyptian influence. For example a shekel (silver coin) could weigh anything between 8 and 16 grams in various places and periods of history. That's why it is impossible get an exact conversion from biblical units to contemporary ones.

These units were used in Portugal, Brazil and other countries of the Portuguese Empire until the adoption of the metric system in 19th century.

There were many local variations; the following are Quebec and Paris definitions

These units were used before adoption of metric system in 1872.

These units were used before adoption of metric system in 1871.

Common measurement system was introduced in Sweden by law in 1665. The oldest units like mark were used since Viking era. Sweden switched to metric system in 1889.