Die Entschlüsselung antiker Längenmaße mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der ägyptischen Maße

This book does away with the prevailing opinion that most antique linear measures developed independently from each other. On the basis of antique texts and plain mathematical relationships with each other, the author demonstrates that all investigated antique linear measures stood in a network of interdependence and relationship with each other. From the number of simple conversions, it is possible to draw conclusions as to their distribution and use. No antique foot measure, with perhaps the single exception of the foot of the Latini, had anything to do with real foot sizes. Rather, the foot was the basic unit on which most linear measures were based. Analyses of antique sources on the Egyptian unit of itrw/schoinos showed that there were two pre-Roman systems: one based on 5,000 cubits and multiples thereof, one based on 6,000 cubits and multiples thereof. The Romans implemented an approximation to their own system by fixing the schoinos to exactly four Roman miles. It seems that every period adapted the unit itrw/schoinos to their own requirements and integrated it into their system of units, in order to enable simple conversion.