Weight

Description

In the Roman Empire, merchants had their goods weighed on the market master's scales: he had reliable weights, checked by the Roman authorities. The Latin inscription that serves as hallmark on this stone weight reads: "By the authority of Quintus Iunius Rusticus, prefect of the city'. Rusticus was a high official in Rome and a friend of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. This weight originally weighed over 3 kg (10 Roman pounds), but the indentations make it reasonably easy to lift. Basalt, Rome, ca AD 162-198. Inventory number: 1627