A number of different units of measurement were historically used in Cyprus to measure quantities like length, mass, area and capacity. Before the Metric system, the Imperial system was used. In between 1986-1988, metric system was adopted in Cyprus.[1]
Units used alongside the Imperial system
A number of units were used alongside the Imperial system.
Length
One pic was equal to 2 feet (0.6096 m).[2][3] Prior to the adoption of the metric system for units of length in 1986, this was the base unit for length. Other units used were the following:
1 inch = 2.54 cm or 1⁄12 foot, 1⁄24 pic, or 1⁄36 yard
1 foot = 30.48 cm or 12 inches, ½ pic, or ⅓ yard
1 yard = 0.9144 m or 3 feet, or 1½ pics
1 chain = 20.1168 m or 66 feet, 33 pics, or 22 yards
1 mile = 1.609344 km or 5280 feet, 2640 pics, 1760 yards, or 80 chains
Area
One donum was equal to 1337.803776 m² and was divided into 4 evleks, each of them covering 3600 sq. feet or 400 sq. yards. The Greek name for donum is σκάλα.[2][3] Prior to the adoption of the metric system for units of area in 1986, this was the base unit for area. Other units used were the following:
1 square inch = 6.4516 cm² or 1⁄144 sq. feet
1 square foot = 0.09290304 m² or ⅑ sq. yards, or 144 sq. inches
1 square yard = 0.83612736 m² or 1⁄400 evleks, 1⁄1600 donums, or 9 square feet
1 evlek = 334.450944 m² or ¼ donum, 400 square yards, or 3600 square feet
1 square mile = 2.589988110336 km² or 640 acres, or 1936 donums
Mass
One oke was equal to exactly 2.8 pounds avoirdupois (1.270058636 kg) and was divided into 4 onjas, each of them weighing 100 drams. [2][3] Prior to the adoption of the metric system for units of mass in 1986, this was the base unit for mass. Other units used were the following: [2][3]
1 dram = 3.17514659 g or 1⁄400 oke
1 Cyprus litre = 2.2861055448 kg or 1⅘ okes or 720 drams
1 kantar = 55,882579984 kg or 44 okes, or 244⁄9 Cyprus litres [2][3][4]
1 Aleppo kantar (used for carobs) = 228.61055448 kg or 180 okes, 100 Cyprus litres, or 11⁄45 kantar
1 ton = 1016,0469088 kg or 800 okes, 4444⁄9 Cyprus litres, 182⁄11 kantars, or 44⁄9 Aleppo kantars
Capacity
A number of units were used to measure capacity. Following is providing the accepted equivalents to some of units:[2][3]
1 oke = 1.27855 L
1 cass = 4.73 L
1 kile (bushel) = 36.368 L
1 medimno = 75.05 L
1 kartos = 4 oke
1 kouza = 8 oke
1 gomari = 128 oke (used for grain too[4]).
References
- ^ Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
- ^ a b c d e f Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. pp. 5.
international critical tables 1926.
- ^ a b c d e f Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
- ^ a b Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. pp. 25, 26.