Historical Units

Empan

Définition

L'empan est une ancienne unité de longueur égale à la largeur de la main tendue du bout du pouce au bout du petit doigt, standardisée à environ 23 cm (9 pouces).

Explication

Half a cubit, the span was widely used in ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Roman measurement. Goliath's height in the Bible is given as 'six cubits and a span,' roughly 2.9 meters. Like other body-based units, it varied between individuals; standardization came later through royal decrees or reference artifacts. It survives in horse height measurement, where 'hands' (10 cm) replaced the older span.

02

RELATED ARTICLES

03

RELATED TERMS