Ancient MeasuresANCIENT UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

Units of Measurement

Olympic pous

A concise working definition for this measurement standard; fuller historical treatment is planned for a later phase.

QuantityLength
PlaceOlympia
Working value0.3205 m
Evidence signal± 0.0015 mmedium confidence

The distinctive point

Olympic pous: a value with room for evidence

The distinctive point is the uncertainty, not just the headline magnitude. The matrix carries ± 0.0015 m and names the basis as stadium-survey. That keeps comparison possible without pretending that every specimen, survey, or period produced one perfect constant.

Basis: stadium-survey. Check the record source.

Length scale graphic for Olympic pousOne Olympic pous is 1.0515 times one international foot.0.3205 magainst one international foot
One Olympic pous is 1.0515 times one international foot. Graphic values come from the same matrix as the converter.

What this unit was

Olympic pous is modelled here as a length standard of the Greek tradition, associated with Olympia during Archaic to Roman-era Olympia representative. The converter represents one pous as 0.3205 m; its basis is stadium-survey. The matrix carries an indicative uncertainty of ± 0.0015 m.

Within that setting, the unit belonged to a working system for survey, building, travel, and the organisation of built space. It should be read with its period, locality, and evidential basis attached, not as a universal value shared by every culture using a similar name.

Evidence of use and sources

The working value is traceable to Smith Dictionary Mensura. Its record is classified as medium confidence and uses the stated basis rather than an assumed culture-wide constant.

Three directly pertinent excerpts from the supplied library are available.

“The rest of the Measures are founded on known proportions.”

Tables of antient coins, weights, and measures, PDF p. 78. reconstructed proportional systems

“Stadium contain'd 125 Roman Paces, or 625 Feet”

Tables of antient coins, weights, and measures, PDF p. 81. Roman distance relationship

“the trade value of the Attic standard, and ... the coinage value”

Flinders Petrie, Ancient Weights and Measures, PDF p. 31. trade and coin systems must be distinguished

Working definition

Olympic pous is modelled here as a Greek length standard associated with Olympia and Archaic to Roman-era Olympia representative. The converter uses a representative value of 0.3205 m per unit.

How to use it

This value is a contextual research aid, not a universal ruler. Its basis is recorded as stadium survey with medium confidence. Value inferred from the excavated stadium

Open this unit in the converter · Return to all units

Related monument study The Stadium at Olympia places the 600-foot stadion within the sanctuary's landscape, processional route and regional system.

Next phase

This page will be expanded with source discussion, chronology, evidence, uncertainty notes, and worked examples.