deben

deben

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The deben was an ancient unit of weight and value used in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia, including Babylon. It played a significant role in the economy and trade of these civilizations, particularly in the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The deben was used to measure goods such as gold, silver, and other precious commodities. Its value and usage varied across different regions and time periods.

Definition and Etymology

The term "deben" is derived from the Ancient Egyptian word "dbn," which referred to a unit of weight. In Ancient Mesopotamia, the deben was equivalent to about 91 grams or 3 shekels of silver. The etymology of the word "deben" is closely related to the mythological and metrological systems of Ancient Egypt.

History and Usage in Ancient Babylon

In Ancient Babylon, the deben was used as a unit of weight and value during the Hammurabi's reign (1792-1750 BCE). It was an essential unit in the Babylonian economy, particularly in trade and commerce. The deben was used to measure the value of goods such as barley, dates, and livestock. The Babylonian kings, including Nebuchadnezzar II, used the deben to standardize weights and measures throughout their kingdoms.

Measurement and Value

The value of the deben varied across different regions and time periods. In Ancient Egypt, the deben was equivalent to 10 kete or 1/10 of a deben (Egyptian). In Ancient Mesopotamia, the deben was divided into 10 shekels or 60 grains. The deben was also used to measure the value of precious metals such as gold and silver, with 1 deben of gold being equivalent to about 12-15 shekels of silver.

Role in Trade and Economy

The deben played a significant role in the Ancient Mesopotamian economy, particularly in trade and commerce. It was used to measure the value of goods and commodities, including textiles, pottery, and metals. The deben was also used in international trade, with merchants using it to calculate the value of goods traded between different regions. The Neo-Babylonian economy relied heavily on the deben as a unit of value and weight.

Relation to Other Ancient Mesopotamian Units

The deben was related to other ancient Mesopotamian units, including the mina, talent, and shekel. The mina was equivalent to 60 deben, while the talent was equivalent to 3600 deben. The shekel was a smaller unit of weight, with 1 deben being equivalent to 10 shekels. Understanding the relationships between these units is essential to grasping the Ancient Mesopotamian system of measurement and value.

Category:Ancient Mesopotamian units