Article ID: CBB415360040

A common-sense approach to the problem of the itinerary stadion (2022)

unapi

Estimating the length of the Greek stadion remains controversial. This paper highlights the pitfalls of a purely metrological approach to this problem and proposes a formal differentiation between metrologically defined ancient measuring units and other measures used to estimate long distances. The common-sense approach to the problem is strengthened by some cross-over documentary evidence for usage of the so-called itinerary stadion in antiquity. We discuss the possibility of using statistical analysis methods to estimate the length of the stadion by comparing ancient routes with the actual distances. Simple numerical examples explain the limits of this approach, caused by the low number of data and by their mixed character. A special case of distances which can be calculated with the help of coordinates given in Ptolemy’s Geography is discussed, and has been shown to lead unavoidably to ambiguous solutions.

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Authors & Contributors
Carman, Christián Carlos
Jian-Liang Lin
Calzolari, Mauro
De Nardis, Mauro
Roland A. Boucher
Sartori, Sergio
Concepts
Measurement
Geography
Astronomy
Metrology
Roman Empire
Mathematics
Time Periods
Ancient
21st century
20th century
19th century
3rd century, B.C.
Modern
Places
Greece
Rome (Italy)
Europe
Mexico
Byzantium
United States
Institutions
Convention du mètre (1875)
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