A variety of units of measurement were used in the various independent Italian states and Italian dependencies of foreign empires up to the unification of Italy in the 19th century. The units to measure length, volume, mass, etc., could differ widely between countries or between towns in a country (e.g. Rome and Ancona), but usually not between a country and its capital.
The Kingdom of Sardinia included the island of Sardinia and the continental areas of Piedmont (with the capital Turin) and Liguria (with Genoa). The Kingdom of Naples included the island of Sicily (with Palermo). The Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia was part of the Austrian Empire, which also shared ruling family with Modena, Parma and Tuscany (capital Florence). The Papal States included the areas of Latium (with the capital Rome), Umbria, Romagna (with Bologna) and the Marches (with Ancona).
Milan adopted the metric system in 1803, during the Napoleonic wars, albeit reusing names of older units.[1][2] After the Congress of Vienna, the various Italian states reverted to their original systems of measurements.
In 1845 Sardinia passed legislation to introduce the metric system within five years. In 1859 Lombardy (but not Venetia) was annexed. In 1860 Parma, Modena, Tuscany, Umbria, Romagna and the Marches, and the Two Sicilies (Naples) were assimilated into Sardinia and under the Law 132 of 28 July 28, 1861 the metric system became the official system of measurement throughout the (this year) Italian kingdom.[3] The last to be incorporated were Venetia (1866), and the rest of the Papal States (1870).
For historical Roman measurements see Ancient Roman units of measurement. The following is a list of units before the adoption of the metric system as well as local names for metric-based units.
Over time many unit names were reused for metric units, adding an unnecessary obstacle to the system change. These units are marked with €. They are also placed after the traditional.
Length edit
Units varied from one province or city to another.[2] In the north the atomo was the smallest unit.[4]
Dedicated use: # architect's † commercial ‡ mercer's
1 piede liprando = 0.51377 m [1][2] Lombardy–Venetia edit1 punto = 12 atomi [5] 1 miglio€ = 1 km [5] Milan edit1 dito (a.k.a. pollico) = 36.27 mm [7] 1 atomo€ = 1 mm [1] Venice edit1 linea = 10 decimi [11] |
Modena edit1 cavezzo = 6 piedi [13] Naples edit1 oncia = 5 minuti [14] Sicily edit1 palmo = 9.5297 in [17] Palermo edit1 canna = 10 palmi = 2.065 m [9] |
Papal States edit1 palmo# = 12 once = 8.79 in [19] Rome edit1 oncia# = 10 decimi = 18.6 mm [11] Ancona edit1 pié = 15.384 in [19] Bologna edit1 piede = 38 cm [9] Parma edit1 punto = 12 atomi [20] |
Sardinia edit1 punto = 12 atomi [21] Piedmont edit1 raso = 14 oncie [21] Turin edit1 piede = 293 mm [9] Genoa edit1 palmo = 5+1⁄3 once [21] Tuscany edit1 quattrino = 4 denari = 9.728 mm [22] Florence edit1 braccio = 2 palmi = 583 mm [9] |
Mass edit
One libbra (pound) differed between 307[2] and 398 g.[1] Several countries used both a light and a heavy pound.
Dedicated use: # gold ∆ silver § jewels † apothecaries' ‡ silk @ spices, drugs and pigments ¥ commercial ¢ oil ship cargoes: Σ grain flour etc § salt
1 grano (grain) = 1⁄6912 libbra [1][2] Lombardy–Venetia edit1 denaro#∆ = 24 grani [28] 1 denaro€ = 10 grani [28] Milan edit1 grano∆‡ (a.k.a. denaro) = 50.998 mg [22] 1 grano€ = 1 dg [1] Venice edit1 marco = 238.499 g [29] Trieste editAustrian, but not part of Lombardy-Venetia. 1 funto (–1858) = 1 Wiener Pfund [33] |
Modena edit1 oncia = 16 ferlini [13] Naples edit1 scrupolo† = 20 accini [14] Sicily edit1 taro = 20 grani [35] Palermo edit1 libbra = 12 once = 317 g [9] |
Papal States edit1 denaro = 24 grani [36] Rome edit1 denaro∆¥ = 24 grani = 1.178 g [22] Ancona edit1 libbra = 0.7277 [36] Bologna edit1 carato = 4 grani [36] Ferrara edit1 ferlino = 10 carati = 1.80 g [38] Parma edit1 denaro = 24 grani [20] |
Sardinia edit1 grano‡ = 53.363 mg [22] Piedmont edit1 grano = 24 granotini [21] Turin edit1 grano = 24 granotini [21] Genoa edit1 denaro = 24 grani [21] Cagliari edit1 libbra di commercio¥ = 406.563 g [30] Tuscany edit1 denaro = 24 grani [23] Florence edit1 libbra = 12 once = 339.5 g [9] Lucca edit1 libbra = 334.5 g [30] |
Area edit
Dedicated use: # architect's
1 giornata (a.k.a. quadrao) = 38 are [1] Lombardy–Venetia edit1 tornatura = 100 palmi2 = 1 are [5] Lombardy edit1 tavola = 4 trabucchi quadri [41] Venetia edit1 migliajo = 1000 passi quadrati = 3022.99 m2 [41] |
Modena edit1 cavezzo2 = 36 piedi2 [13] Naples edit1 canna quadrata (centesimo) = 6.999 m2 [16] Sicily edit1 canna (quartiglio) = 4.263 m2 [16] |
Papal States edit1 scorzo = 28 catene agrimensorie [41] Parma edit1 staro = 12 tavola [20] |
Sardinia editPiedmont edit1 giornata = 100 pertica2 = 0.9393 acre [21] Tuscany edit1 saccato = 16500 braccia2 = 1.389 acre [23] |
Volume (dry) edit
Dry and wet capacity (volume) were usually two separate systems, but a few units were universally handled, mostly in countries that had had experience with the metric system. (One of the sources do not state what subsystem they are handling).[12]
Dedicated use: # firewood † grain ‡ salt ∆ oats and legumes Σ coal
One mina varied from 12 to 120 litres.[1] Lombardy–Venetia edit1 pinta€ = 10 coppi = 1 litre [5] Venice edit1 moggio = 8 mezzeni = 333.3 litres [9] Milan edit1 moggio = 8 stala = 146.2 litres [9] 1 coppo€ = 1 dl [1] Modena edit |
Naples edit1 quarto (–1840) = 6 misuri [45] Sicily edit1 salma generale = 7.8 bushels [17] Palermo edit |
Papal States edit1 scorzo = 4 quartucci [19] Rome edit1 decina†‡ = 4.601 L [37] Ancona edit1 rubbio = 7.974 bushels [36] Bologna edit1 quarterone = 4 quarticini [36] Parma edit1 mina = 8 quarteroli [20] |
Sardinia editPiedmont edit1 coppo† = 2.876 L [40] Turin edit1 copello = 20 cucchiari [21] Genoa edit1 gombetta = 4 misurette = 1.21 L [49] Tuscany edit1 quartuccio = 2 bussoli [23] Florence edit1 moggio = 8 sacca = 584.7 litres [9] |
Volume (liquids) edit
There are also a unit cantara:[27] no specifics.
Dedicated use: # wine † spirits ‡ oil
1 barile da vino# = 45.6 L [1] Lombardy–Venetia edit1 pinta€ = 10 coppi = 1 litre [5] Venice edit1 quartuccio = 4 gotti = 670.7 mL [12] 1 barile#† = 24 bozze = 64.386 L [50] Milan edit1 mezzo = 2 zaine (bicchieri) = 393.5 mL [51] 1 coppo€ = 1 dl [1][40] Trieste edit1 boccale = 1.83 L [52] Modena edit1 fiasco = 2 boccali = 0.55028 gallon [13] Naples edit1 barile#† = 60 caraffi [14] Sicily edit1 quartuccio = 4 bicchieri = 0.8597 L [12] |
Papal States edit1 foglietta = 4 quartucci [19] Rome edit1 fogliette = 4 quartucci [51] Ancona edit1 soma = 18.49 gallons [19] Bologna edit1 foglietta# = 327 mL [56] |
Parma editSee Lombardy–Venetia and Milan.[20] Sardinia editPiedmont edit1 boccale = 2 quartini [21][54] Turin edit1 boccale = 2 quartini [21] Genoa edit1 amola = 4 quarti = 0.8833 L [12] |
Tuscany edit1 mezzetta# = 2 quartucci [23] Florence edit1 boccale = 1.14 L [52] |
Notes edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Washburn 1926, p. 8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Cardarelli 2003, p. 87.
- ^ Borgato 2006.
- ^ Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 2: Atomo, p. 102.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Clarke 1891, p. 80.
- ^ a b c d e f g Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 6: Fuß, p. 1018.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 5: Dito, p. 47.
- ^ a b c d e f Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 3: Braccio, p. 357.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar Cardarelli 2003, p. 88.
- ^ a b c d e f g Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 12: Miglio, p. 80.
- ^ a b Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 4: Decimo, p. 655.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 11: Maße, p. 1024c.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Clarke 1891, p. 52.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Clarke 1891, p. 53.
- ^ a b c d Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 4: Decima, p. 655.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 3: Canna, p. 836.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Clarke 1891, p. 69.
- ^ a b Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 4: Corda, p. 324.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Clarke 1891, p. 63.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Clarke 1891, p. 58.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb Clarke 1891, p. 67.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 4: Denaro, p. 730.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Clarke 1891, p. 76.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 7: Grano, p. 865.
- ^ Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 14: Quarto, p. 371.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 14: Quintale, p. 398.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 3: Cantaro, p. 842.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Clarke 1891, p. 81.
- ^ a b c d e Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 11: Marco, p. 908.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 11: Libbra, p. 311.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 14: Rubbio, p. 974.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 13: Peso, p. 720.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 3: Centinajo, p. 954.
- ^ a b c d Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 14: Rotolo, p. 954.
- ^ a b Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 13: Onza, p. 190.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Clarke 1891, p. 64.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 4: Decina, p. 655.
- ^ a b c d e Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 6: Ferlino, p. 305.
- ^ a b c d e Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 12: Mina, p. 338.
- ^ a b c d Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 4: Coppo, p. 321.
- ^ a b c d e f Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 12: Morgen, p. 529.
- ^ a b c d e Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 12: Morgen, p. 530.
- ^ Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 7: Giornata, p. 584.
- ^ a b c d e f Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 16: Soma, p. 84.
- ^ a b c d e f Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 12: Mezzetta, p. 257.
- ^ a b c d e f Clarke 1891, p. 54.
- ^ Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 5: Emine, p. 740.
- ^ a b c d e f Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 15: Sacco, p. 46.
- ^ Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 7: Gombetta, p. 750.
- ^ a b c d e Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 2: Barile, p. 473.
- ^ a b c d e Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 12: Mezzo, p. 257.
- ^ a b c d e f g Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 3: Boccale, p. 152.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 3: Brenta, p. 460.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 13: Pinta, p. 942.
- ^ a b Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 6: Fiasco, p. 404.
- ^ a b c Meyers Konversations-Lexikon vol 6: Foglietta, p. 607.
References edit
Borgato, Maria Teresa (6–9 September 2006). "The first applications of the metric system in Italy" (PDF). The Global and the Local:The History of Science and the Cultural Integration of Europe. Proceedings of the 2nd ICESHS. Cracow, Poland: The Press of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1. Cardarelli.
Clarke, F. W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company.
"Atomo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 2 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 102.
"Barile" [Barrel]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 2 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 473.
"Boccale". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 152.
"Braccio" [Ell]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 357.
"Brenta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 460.
"Canna". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 836.
"Cantaro" [Hundredweight]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 842.
"Centesimo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 954.
"Centinajo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 954.
"Coppo" [Cup]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 321.
"Corda". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 324.
"Decima". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 655.
"Decimo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 655.
"Decina". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 655.
"Denaro". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 730.
"Dito". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 5 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 47.
"Emine". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 5 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 740.
"Ferlino". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 305.
"Fiasco". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 404.
"Foglietta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 607.
"Fuß" [Foot]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 1018.
"Giornata" [Acre]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 7 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 584.
"Gombetta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 7 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 750.
"Grano" [Grain]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 7 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 865.
"Libbra" [Pound]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 11 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 311.
"Marco". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 11 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 908.
"Maße" [Units of measurement]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 11 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 1024c.
"Meta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 190.
"Mezzetta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 257.
"Mezzo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 257.
"Miglio" [Mile]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 80.
"Mina". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 338.
"Morgen" [Acre]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897.
"Onza". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 190.
"Palmo" [Handsbreath]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 448.
"Peso". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 720.
"Pinta" [Pint]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 942.
"Quarto". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 371.
"Quintale" [Quintal]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 398.
"Rotolo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 954.
"Rubbio". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 974.
"Sacco" [Sack]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 15 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 46.
"Soldo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 16 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 73.
"Soma". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 16 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 84.
"Talandon". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 16 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 660.
Washburn, E. W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. p. 8. international critical tables 1926.