SEG 36.233 Measure for charcoal

Measure for charcoal

SEG 36.233 Date: late 1st century BC – early 1st century AD

Public (dēmosios) Medimnos-measure of charcoal.^[1]

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References:

SEG 36.233 (Translated text) (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Monument type: Measuring vessel

Inscription type: Label

Findspot: Roman Agora (Athens Ephoria ΡΑ 745)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This inscription is cut on the side of a large marble cylinder which served as a standard measure for charcoal, equivalent to a medimnos (a unit of volume, roughly 52 L). Charcoal was the main fuel burnt for cooking, heating, and industrial purposes in the ancient Mediterranean (cf. R. Meiggs, Trees and Timber 1982, 203-206; R. Veal in W.V. Harris, The Ancient Mediterranean Environment between Science and History, 2013, 37-58). The main source in Attica was Mount Parnes, north of Acharnai. The letterforms suggest a date in the late first century BC or early first century AD. This measure probably derives from the Agoranomion (office of the market inspectors) within the Roman Agora (see IG II² 3391 with notes), near where it was discovered. It tends to confirm that the Roman Agora was used for wholesale commerce (D. Sourlas in V. Chankowski and P. Karvonis, Toute vendre, tout acheter, 2012, 130). In addition to this measuring cylinder, a set of small capacity measures have also been found in the Roman Agora, carved into the stylobate of the south stoa between the sixth and seventh columns from the east end of the colonnade, perhaps intended for measuring quantities of precious metals or dyes (Sourlas 2012, 126-27), and six marble weights varying from 2-6 minas (= 1.5-3.6 kg) have also been found in or around the Roman Agora (Sourlas 2012, 136-39). On the Roman Agora in general, see IG II³ 4, 12 with notes. For another inscribed measuring vessel from Athens, see IG II³ 4, 124 and for Athenian public weights and measures generally, see Pondera, Agora X, pp. 1-64, and cf. SEG 66.125 with notes.

Added: 6 Mar 2026
Updated: 6 Mar 2026
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ID: AIO_3621