litra

Litra is a historical unit of measurement attested in the ancient Greek world. The term litra (plural litrai) referred to a small subunit used in weight metrology and, in some contexts, as a monetary subdivision within the drachma system. The exact value of a litra varied by city-state and period, and there was no universal standard.

In various classical sources, a litra is described as a fraction of a drachma or as a fraction of an obol. Because the drachma itself differed in weight across time and places, the litra would correspondingly be a very small quantity—typically only a few tenths of a gram to around a gram or less, depending on the local definition.

Usage and significance: Litrai appear in inscriptions and accounting documents to denote small monetary amounts or precise weights. They were mainly relevant for fine subdivisions within trade and taxation, rather than as widely minted coins. The more common coin units in everyday use were the obol and the drachma; litra served as a finer, local subdivision for certain transactions.

Etymology and distribution: The etymology of litra is uncertain, and the term is mainly known from Greek texts and regional metrology. Its existence highlights the lack of a standardized system across ancient Greece, with each polis shaping its own subdivisions.

See also: Obol, Drachma, Mina, Talent, Greek units of weight. Note: litra is distinct from the modern liter (unit of volume) used in some languages, which is unrelated to these ancient weight and currency concepts.