1/4 Mina

Lead

Cast

Square

6.67 cm (2.625 inch)

5.56 cm (2.1875 inch)

1.11 cm (0.4375 inch)

Mass (g)	Mass (grain)	Date of measurement	Reference	fragmented	cleaned	reference weight
213.78	3299.1004	-	www.getty.edu	No	No	Yes

Symbol	Technique	Direction	Position	Number	Synecdoche
Balance scale
Two-handled cup

The image of a balance scale, called a libra by the Romans, decorates the front of this weight designed for use with just such an apparatus. The flat, plaque-like form of this object is typical for balance scale weights. The back of the weight depicts a footed, two-handled cup, probably a measure for grains or liquids. Scholars do not know what the two bell- or dome-shaped objects suspended above the cup represent. The use of images like the cup and scale on this object emphasize the importance of accurate measurement in the ancient world. The fairness of the weights and measures used by merchants was essential to the proper running of the economy. The weight of the piece is one quarter of a mina. Although the mina was a Greek weight unit, areas of the eastern Mediterranean region that were originally Greek but had by this time fallen under Roman rule often continued to use Greek standards.

No

Language	Technique	Legend type

ROMAN

2nd century

Name	Date of acquisition	Inventory number
Fleischman Collection	Jan. 1, 1988	F11
Getty Museum – Getty Villa (Malibu)	Jan. 1, 1996	96.AI.184

Reference	Page/Column	Reference (number)	Plate / Figure	Comment
True and Hamma 1994	279	142
Getty Museum 1997–98	69

Roman weight, Eastern Mediterranean.

http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/29485/unknown-maker-weight-with-scales-roman-2nd-century/