Ancient Roman Volumes & Weights

Volume

What it was

Other Roman Measurement Equivalent

English/Metric Equivalent

Amphora (pl. amphorae)

Liquid volume measure; cubic Roman Foot; derived from the term for the earthenware vessels used to store and transport liquids

8 congii

apx 6.8 gals or 25.79 liters

Congius (pl. congii)

Liquid volume measure

12 heminae

apx .85 gals or 3.22 liters

Sextarius (pl. sextarii)

Liquid volume measure

2 heminae

apx 1.14 pint or .546 liters

Hemina (pl. heminae)

Liquid volume measure

apx .57 pints or .273 liters

Modius (pl. modii)

Dry volume measure

apx 1 peck

Liquid volume measure

16 sextarii

2.4 gals or 8.732 liters

Ligula ( pl. ligulae) or cochlear ("spoonful"; pl. cochleara) or cochlea ("snail shell"; pl. cochleae)

Smallest unit of liquid measure

none

.34 fluid ounce or 1.14 centiliters

Weight

What it was

Other Roman Measurement Equivalent

English/Metric Equivalent

Libra ("balance"; pl. librae) or As

Roman Pound

12 unciae

apx 3/4 pound or 335.9g

Uncia (pl. uncia)

Roman Ounce

none

apx 1 ounce or 28g

Notes:

  • The amphora was the unit used to determine the shipping weight for sea transport