It’s probably hard to find a Russian personheard the word "pud". However, not everyone has come across another native Russian measure of weight, which is called “Berkovts”. What is it, or rather how much? Consider in the historical context the connection between these two weight measures, we’ll specify that it is harder - pud or berkovets, and also discuss several other interesting points related to their use in the culture of Ancient Russia.
To begin with, both weight measures are alreadyseriously outdated, but if the word “pood” is found in the modern language, though infrequently, it still happens, then “Berkovets” has long been buried as superfluous. It is not surprising, because the first mention of the use of measuring weighing systems belongs already to the tenth century of our era, and which one is now outside, I think, it is not necessary to remind. Why did we need a weight measurement system? The thing is that it was at this time that serious trade relations began to develop between different regions, which inevitably required some standardization of exchange systems. Which led to the appearance of these heavyweights in use.
So, how much does a pound weigh (in kg)?Almost any student will answer this question. Of course, about 16 kilograms. Surely many guys tried in their youth to carry a six-kilogram weight, and, I want to believe, not unsuccessfully. Be that as it may, this weight is firmly remembered, and the word “pood” arises associatively from the depths of consciousness. With the second measure of weight mentioned, everything is much more complicated. And although Berkovets was used no less intensively in those days, it was the pood that was fixed in everyday life, as it was closer to the reality of an ordinary person. To his immediate life needs, not related to the measurement of heavy loads.
On the question of what is heavier, pud or berkovets,The answer is unequivocal: of course, the last. Since it was used for weighing the heaviest goods, mainly in the wholesale trade. Basically, to measure the mass of such goods as honey, potash, wax. How much does berkovets weigh? Exactly ten pounds. Simple and convenient, isn't it? And although there were other names in the scales of Ancient Russia, it was Pud and Berkovets that were firmly entrenched as the most convenient in terms of measuring heavy loads that were used by wholesalers of those times.
Consider both weight units with a pointview of their origin. The pud was originally forty pounds. This, by the way, is another measure of weight that is widely used in Russia, but it is not about it that is referred to in this material. The name of the pood goes back to the Proto-Slavic word, which came from Latin. And it meant “weight”. So the origin is quite obvious and hints at the purpose for which it appeared.
The story of the emergence of Berkovtsa, or Berkovsk (alsosuch a designation can be found in ancient sources) is somewhat more ornate. In this measure of weight, you can catch the Swedish name of the later Russian town - Bjerke. Now it’s just Primorsk, and once it’s something difficult to reproduce in Russian. And what was more often used - Berkovets or pood? It turns out that both words are often mentioned in Novgorod and Pskov chronicles. However, their paths diverged from a historical perspective. And if the first has practically sunk into oblivion, then the second can be met even in modern slang language in various combinations.
By the way, Berkowska, from which the mostthe used form of this word, initially - the adjective. There is reason to believe that it originated from the phrase “Berkovsky pud”, all from the same Swedish settlement mentioned just above. And since this town was an important transportation hub on the trade route from Scandinavia to Asia and Byzantium, and the most popular goods that followed this route were salt, wax, etc. This word has stuck.
It's hard to imagine a readerpondering over the question, what is heavier: pood or berkovets? Since the use of the latter is quite specific and is found only in narrow historical circles. However, we hope that the information was useful. And now, if it becomes necessary to explain what was used to measure the heaviest goods: Berkovets or pud, the reader will not be confused, but will be able to shine with knowledge of Ancient Russia.
Cases of bygone days are rarely interested.reader, turning the pages of online publications, but the knowledge of history is never lost in vain. If a person learns something new about his native history, about roots that go back to the deep ages, he will always be confronted with cognitive and necessarily useful information. In this article we tried to answer the question: "What is harder: pud or berkovets?" The history holds many interesting secrets that hide the real roots of a person, his behavior, thoughts, aspirations and hopes. I want to believe that entertaining metrology brought at least a slight desire to learn more about the amazing reality that took place ten centuries ago.
