This old Roman hollow measure (shell, bowl) was a standard measure in ancient Rome alongside the sextarius. Liquids were originally calculated by weight. The largest known measure was the culleus (= leather sack, tube), which was 160 congii and held 524 litres, i.e. more than two barrique barrels (450 litres).
The amphora (26.25 litres) was used as the commercial measure and was divided into two urna (about 13 litres each). The sixth part of a congius was called a sextarius, which corresponded to 0.54 litres and was known today as a pint or jug. The third part was called triens with 0.18 litres, the fourth part quadrans with 0.135 litres, the sixth part sextans with 90 cm³ and the twelfth part the cyathus (scoop) mentioned in the novel Satyricon with 45 cm³.
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