[Footnote 27: Dionysius, with Arbuthnot, and most of the
moderns, (except Eisenschmidt de Ponderibus, &c., p. 137 -
140,) represent the 100,000 asses by 10,000 Attic drachmae,
or somewhat more than 300 pounds sterling. But their
calculation can apply only to the latter times, when the as
was diminished to 1-24th of its ancient weight: nor can I
believe that in the first ages, however destitute of the
precious metals, a single ounce of silver could have been
exchanged for seventy pounds of copper or brass. A more
simple and rational method is to value the copper itself
according to the present rate, and, after comparing the mint
and the market price, the Roman and avoirdupois weight, the
primitive as or Roman pound of copper may be appreciated at
one English shilling, and the 100,000 asses of the first
class amounted to 5000 pounds sterling. It will appear from
the same reckoning, that an ox was sold at Rome for five
pounds, a sheep for ten shillings, and a quarter of wheat
for one pound ten shillings, (Festus, p. 330, edit. Dacier.
Plin. Hist. Natur. xviii. 4:) nor do I see any reason to
reject these consequences, which moderate our ideas of the
poverty of the first Romans..]