Cypriot units of measurement

A number of different units of measurement were used in Cyprus to measure quantities like length, mass, area and capacity. Before the Metric system, the British system was used. In between 1972-1974, metric system was adopted in Cyprus.^[1]

Units used with British system

A number of units were used with British system.

Length

One pic is equel to 2 foot (0.6096 m) as an accepted equivalence.^[2][3]

Mass

A number of units were used to measure mass. One oke (Uqqa^[3]) was equal to 2.8 pound av (1.27006 kg) as an accepted equivalent. ^[2][3] One moosa (hundredweight) was equal to 50.700 kg as an accepted equivalent.^[2] Some other units and the accepted equivalents are provided below:^[2][3]

1 drachme = 1/400 oke

1 rottolo = 0.44 oke

1 stone = 5 oke^[2]

1 kantar = 44 oke^[2][3][4]

1 kantar (Aleppo) = 180 oke

1 ton = 800 oke.

Area

Several units were used to measure area. One donum was equal to 1600 yard² (1337.8 m²) and one scala was equal to one donum, as an accepted equivalent.^[2][3]

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

1. 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.
2. Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. p. 5.
3. 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.
4. Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. pp. 25,26.