TALENT

unit of weight used by the ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, among other ancient peoples. The weight of a talent and its relationship to its major subdivision, the mina (q.v.), varied considerably at different times and places in the ancient world. The most common ratio of the talent to the mina was probably 1:60. The Hebrew talent, or kikkar, probably of Babylonian origin, was the basic unit of weight among the ancient Hebrews. In the sacred system of weights, the talent was equal to 60 sacred minas. The Talmudist talent was equal to 60 Talmudist minas. The talent was also an important unit of weight among the Greeks, who undoubtedly borrowed it from eastern neighbours. The Attic talent, which equaled 60 Attic minas, is estimated as having weighed about 56.9 pounds (25.8 kg). It was certainly smaller than the Hebrew talent.