A variety of units of measurement were used in the various independent Italian states and Italian dependencies of foreign empires up to the unification of Italy in the 19th century. The units to measure length, volume, mass, etc., could differ widely between countries or between towns in a country (e.g. Rome and Ancona), but usually not between a country and its capital.
Milan adopted the metric system in 1803, during the Napoleonic wars, albeit reusing names of older units.[1][2] After the Congress of Vienna, the various Italian states reverted to their original systems of measurements.
In 1845 Sardinia passed legislation to introduce the metric system within five years. In 1859 Lombardy (but not Venetia) was annexed. In 1860 Parma, Modena, Tuscany, Umbria, Romagna and the Marches, and the Two Sicilies (Naples) were assimilated into Sardinia and under the Law 132 of 28 July 28, 1861 the metric system became the official system of measurement throughout the (this year) Italian kingdom.[3] The last to be incorporated were Venetia (1866), and the rest of the Papal States (1870).
For historical Roman measurements see Ancient Roman units of measurement. The following is a list of units before the adoption of the metric system as well as local names for metric-based units.
Over time many unit names were reused for metric units, adding an unnecessary obstacle to the system change. These units are marked with €. They are also placed after the traditional.
Length
Units varied from one province or city to another.[2] In the north the atomo was the smallest unit.[4]
Dry and wet capacity (volume) were usually two separate systems, but a few units were universally handled, mostly in countries that had had experience with the metric system. (One of the sources do not state what subsystem they are handling).[12]
Dedicated use: # firewood † grain ‡ salt ∆ oats and legumes Σ coal
Borgato, Maria Teresa (6–9 September 2006). "The first applications of the metric system in Italy"(PDF). The Global and the Local:The History of Science and the Cultural Integration of Europe. Proceedings of the 2nd ICESHS. Cracow, Poland: The Press of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
"Atomo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 2 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 102.
"Barile" [Barrel]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 2 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 473.
"Boccale". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 152.
"Braccio" [Ell]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 357.
"Brenta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 460.
"Canna". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 836.
"Cantaro" [Hundredweight]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 842.
"Centesimo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 954.
"Centinajo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 3 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 954.
"Coppo" [Cup]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 321.
"Corda". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 324.
"Decima". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 655.
"Decimo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 655.
"Decina". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 655.
"Denaro". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 4 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 730.
"Dito". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 5 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 47.
"Emine". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 5 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 740.
"Ferlino". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 305.
"Fiasco". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 404.
"Foglietta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 607.
"Fuß" [Foot]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 6 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 1018.
"Giornata" [Acre]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 7 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 584.
"Gombetta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 7 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 750.
"Grano" [Grain]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 7 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 865.
"Libbra" [Pound]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 11 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 311.
"Marco". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 11 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 908.
"Maße" [Units of measurement]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 11 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 1024c.
"Meta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 190.
"Mezzetta". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 257.
"Mezzo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 257.
"Miglio" [Mile]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 80.
"Mina". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 338.
"Morgen" [Acre]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 12 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897.
"Onza". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 190.
"Palmo" [Handsbreath]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 448.
"Peso". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 720.
"Pinta" [Pint]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 13 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 942.
"Quarto". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 371.
"Quintale" [Quintal]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 398.
"Rotolo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 954.
"Rubbio". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 14 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 974.
"Sacco" [Sack]. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 15 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 46.
"Soldo". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 16 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 73.
"Soma". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 16 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 84.
"Talandon". Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (in German). Vol. 16 (5th ed.). Leipzig and Vienna: Bibliographisches Institut. 1897. p. 660.