5. The Olympic Talent

From the Olympic foot, two-thirds of that most ancient linear standard the common cubit of Egypt and the other Eastern monarchies, a talent was also constructed—

12·16³ in. = 1798 c.i. = 64·81 lb. water = 453,670 grs.

and in practice its actual weight was the same as that calculated.

It was divided in two ways:

1. On the Bosphoric system, which prevailed in Asia Minor, in the Phœnician colonies, and in some parts of Greece, it was divided into 80 miná, each = 5670 grains, and these into 100 drachms of 56·7 grains. Or the Bosphoric miná was divided uncially into 12 ounces of 472·5 grains.

2. On the Euboic system, frequently used in Greek commerce, this talent was divided into 50 minás of 100 drachms.

The drachm = 90·73 grains.

There was also a Euboic talent which coincided with the weight of the Roman Quadrantal, nominally of 80 As weight = 57·7 lb., and in transactions with the East the Romans appear to have called their Quadrantal-weight of water a Euboic talent. But it will presently be seen that this was the Attic monetary talent.

The volume of an Olympic talent of water was 8 times the Hebrew Bath or, for dry goods, Epha.

Comparison of Olympic and Imperial Measures

OLYMPIC		IMPERIAL
Foot	= 12·16 in.	12 in.
Cubic foot	= 1798 c. in.	1728 c. in.
Talent	= 64·81 lb.	62·3 lb.
1/1000 of talent	= 453·6 grs.	437·5 grs.

	Orig.	Wine	gallon	7·83	lb.
1/8 = Bath = 8·1 lb. water	Modern	„	„	8·33	„
	Imperial	„	„	10	„