Roman
Volume Measurements |
Unit |
Roman
Equivelant |
Description |
Modern |
Amphora (amphorae) |
2 urnae |
Base measurement of Roman
liquids, named for the large containers used to transport wine and other
liquids on ships. |
6.8 gallons or 25.79 liters |
Urna (urnae) |
4 congii |
1/2 of the Amphora |
3.4 gallons or 12.8 liters |
Modius (modii) |
16 sextarii |
Generally used to refer to
dry goods, especially grain. A modius was roughly one third the size of
an Amphora. |
2.4 gallons or 8.7 liters.
For dry goods, roughly equal to a peck or bushel. |
Congius (congii) |
12 heminae |
A unit of liquid measurement.
1/8 of an Amphora. |
.85 gallons or 3.2 liters.
For dry goods, roughly 10 pounds |
Sextarius (sextarii) |
2 heminae |
The standard unit of liquid
measurement. 1/6 of a Congius. |
1.14 pints or .546 liters |
Hemina (heminae) |
24 ligulae |
A unit of liquid measurement.
1/2 Sextarius. |
.57 pints or .27 liters. |
Quartarius (quartarii) |
12 ligulae |
1/4 Sextarius |
.28 pints or 13 centiliters |
Ligula (ligulae) |
Base unit |
Smallest unit of Roman liquid
measurement. |
.34 fluid oz. or 1.14 centiliters |