| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Encyclopedia of Ancient History |
| Editors | Roger S. Bagnall, Kai Brodersen, Craige B. Champion, Andrew Erskine, Sabine R. Huebner |
| Place of Publication | Chichester |
| Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781405179355 |
| State | Published - 2012 |
Abstract
The balance (Gk. talanta, stathmon, Lat. libra, trutina, later bilanx, “double-dish”) had two pans suspended from a beam (Gk. zygon, Lat. iugum, librile, scapus), itself suspended in the center by a cord (Gk. spartion, Lat. ansa): the item to be weighed was placed in one pan and known weights in the other.