Historical Units

定义

一种古代长度单位,等于张开手掌从拇指尖到小指尖的宽度,标准化为约23厘米(9英寸)。

解释

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.

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