Convert Roman Actus (actus) to Reed (reed) instantly.
About these units
Roman Actus (actus)
The Roman actus was an ancient Roman unit of length measuring 120 Roman feet, or about 35.5 meters. It played an essential role in Roman land surveying and agriculture, forming part of the system used to organize farms, roads, and territorial divisions in the expanding Roman world. The actus helped define a square unit of land known as the actus quadratus, which was used for taxation, distribution of land to soldiers, and standardizing plots throughout Roman colonies. Surveyors relied on tools like the groma to lay out straight lines based on actus subdivisions, giving Roman lands their characteristic grid patterns. Although long obsolete, the actus provides key insights into Roman engineering, colonial administration, and agricultural policy. Many European land patterns can trace their roots back to Roman measurement practices — a testament to the enduring legacy of Roman surveying.
Reed (reed)
The reed is a smaller unit than the long reed, typically about 1 cubit, and was widely used in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and biblical times. It functioned as a standard measure for construction, religious architecture, and land surveys. Reeds were particularly useful in field work, where repetitive human-scale measurements could be performed quickly. They also served as a practical calibration tool for larger units like rods, chains, and long reeds. The reed is frequently mentioned in ancient texts, highlighting its role in the organization of public works, the construction of sacred buildings, and the measurement of land.