Fantasy world building tool: 5 ancient systems for measuring distance

[Nikky Lee]

I promised this in another world building thread. So, here we have it: a few old systems of measurement to draw upon. I've limited it to just length units, to add volume and area would have made it the blog beastly long.

Fun fact I discovered in researching this: the metric system was actually proposed in 1670 (who knew?). It's waaay older than I thought it was.

Fantasy world building: 5 ancient systems for measuring distance

 

[RK Wallis]

Fascinating and useful!

 

[Dan Payne]

Almost all of these systems rely on the size of a body part (usually the forearm). Which leads inevitably to the thought that distances would be different depending on who was measuring them. Is it any wonder maps of the day were not terribly accurate and pirate treasure was so hard to find?

 

[Carol Rose]

That's awesome! Thanks for posting the link!

 

[Tim James]

I promised this in another world building thread. So, here we have it: a few old systems of measurement to draw upon. I've limited it to just length units, to add volume and area would have made it the blog beastly long.

I didn't see "beastly" there as a unit of distance.

 

[Tim James]

An acre (one chain (66 feet) by one furlong (660 feet) ) was based on the amount of land that could be ploughed by a team of oxen in one day.

A nautical mile is defined as one minute (1/60 degree) of arc at the equator (now standardised to 1852 metres).

A fathom (depth) is equal to 6 feet and was derived from the distance from the middle finger tip to the other middle finger tip when arms outstretched fully to the sides, ie your total reach.

The derivation of traditional (ie, non-metric) units of all types is a fascinating subject and insight into history.

 

[Nikky Lee]

I didn't see "beastly" there as a unit of distance.

Perhaps it could be a unit of length for writers. One beastly = 10,000 words.

 

[Tim James]

Perhaps it could be a unit of length for writers. One beastly = 10,000 words.

I like that definition.
"I've got a beastly chapter to write today?"
"Good God! 10,000 words in one day! That's tough!"

 

[Carol Rose]

Perhaps it could be a unit of length for writers. One beastly = 10,000 words.

LOL!!

 

[Nikky Lee]

I like that definition.
"I've got a beastly chapter to write today?"
"Good God! 10,000 words in one day! That's tough!"

Or
"I have 138 beastlies in my WIP."
"Good god! That's long!"
"Yes, I know. I may have to cull a few soon or they may transform into a behemoth*"

*Behemoth = 150,000 words+

 

[Lex Black]

I use my own system, based entirely upon the distance my various dart guns can peg someone interrupting my writing.