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understand the nature of the original cargo. The dimensions of the column shafts visible
in Croton and Corazzo, described in detail in the Catalog (Appendix 1), are summarized
in Table 8. Their dimensions have been provided both in meters and in Roman feet
(1 Roman ft = 0.296 m), to better understand their proportions from the mindset of the
ancient architect. The sign “>” indicates a broken shaft with an original length longer
than what has survived. Where possible, a plausible reconstruction of the total length is
provided in parentheses. The sign “~” implies a certain degree of approximation, due to a
lack of reliable data.
Table 8. Diameter, length, and proportion between the column shaft base and its height,
in meters and Roman feet.
Artifact Diam.
(m)
Diam.
(R. ft)
Length
(m)
Length
(R. ft)
Ratio
(Diam./Length)
COL 1 0.57 (collar) 1 ⅞ > 3.14 (4.20) 14 ¼ 1:8 ⅝
0.49 (1 st break) 1 ⅝ 1:7 ⅜
0.50 (2 nd break) 1 ¾ 1:8 ⅜
COL 2 0.65 2 ¼ 4.84 16 ⅜ 1:7 ½
COL 3A 0.58 2 5.89 19 ⅞ 1:10 ⅛
COL 3B 0.54 1 ⅞ 1:10 ⅞
COL 3C 0.54 1 ⅞ 1:10 ⅞
COL 4 0.45 1 ½ 1.10 3 ¾ 1:2 ½
COL 5 0.58 2 4.300 14 ½ 1:7 ⅜
COL 6 0.68 2 ¼ 5.82 >19 ⅝ ~ 1:8 ½
The first peculiarity that stands out when observing the lengths of the column shafts in
Roman feet is that the odd numbers are missing. The shafts appear to grow incrementally
from 14, to 16, possibly 18, and 20 Roman feet, while intermediate lengths of 15, 17, 19,
and 21 feet are missing. This is not coincidental. In a systematic review of 82 column
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