What Is This Tool?
This tool allows you to convert length values from the Roman actus, an ancient Roman measurement used primarily in land surveying, to the long cubit, a historical length unit common in ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian contexts. It facilitates scholarly and archaeological work by linking these distinct ancient measurement systems.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the length value measured in Roman actus.
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Select 'Roman actus' as the input unit and 'Long cubit' as the output unit.
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Click the convert button to see the equivalent length in long cubits.
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Use the provided examples as guidance for typical conversions.
Key Features
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Converts Roman actus units to long cubits using established conversion rates.
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Supports conversion relevant for historical and archaeological studies.
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Browser-based and easy to use with no installation required.
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Includes examples for quick reference and understanding.
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Useful for interpreting ancient land measures and architectural dimensions.
Examples
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1 Roman actus equals approximately 66.514 long cubits.
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3 Roman actus equal approximately 199.543 long cubits (3 × 66.5142857143).
Common Use Cases
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Translating Roman land measurements into units useful for Near Eastern and Egyptian archaeology.
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Reconstructing dimensions of ancient buildings or objects from historical texts.
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Labeling museum pieces or creating replicas based on measurements recorded in cubits.
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Analyzing ancient property boundaries recorded in Roman surveying documents.
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Supporting scholarly research on ancient civilizations’ measurement systems.
Tips & Best Practices
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Always consider the historical variation of the long cubit's length when interpreting results.
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Use the conversion primarily for academic or historical research rather than practical applications.
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Refer to examples to confirm understanding of the conversion scale.
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Be aware of approximation limits due to the ancient and regionally variable nature of units.
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Cross-check converted values with archaeological findings or textual data for accuracy.
Limitations
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The long cubit varies historically and regionally, so fixed rates involve some approximation.
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The Roman actus itself is approximate in metric terms, affecting precise conversion.
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Conversion has limited practical use outside academic, archaeological, or museum contexts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Roman actus used for?
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The Roman actus was used historically in land measurement and surveying, defining field lengths and property boundaries, as well as establishing area units in Roman times.
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Why convert Roman actus to long cubit?
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Converting these units helps bridge measurement systems from Roman land surveys to those used in ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian contexts for research, archaeology, and historical reconstruction.
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Is the conversion exact?
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No, the conversion involves approximations since both units varied across time and regions, and metric equivalents of the Roman actus are themselves approximate.
Key Terminology
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Roman actus
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An ancient Roman unit of length equal to 120 Roman feet, about 35.5 metres, used in land measurement and defining areas for cadastral purposes.
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Long cubit
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A historical unit of length used in ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian systems, larger than the common cubit, typically around 52–57 cm, also called the 'royal cubit.'
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Actus quadratus
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A standard square with sides equal to one Roman actus, used historically to define land area units approximately 1,260 square meters.