TRANSPORT SYSTEMS OVERVIEW
Human Beings
Food Requirements
3 lbs of grain a day.
Water Requirements
About .5 gallon (5 lbs.) of water a day in a temperate climate like
that of Assyria
Carrying Ability
About 1/3 of his body weight
Speed
Roman soldiers travelled over metaled roads (packed, all weather road surface ) at three miles per hour, carrying a 90lbs. pack. Travel over unpaved surfaces would have reduced travel speed by about 50%. Rest perods of 15 minutes an hour were standard practice. Information about the Assyrian armies travel speed is not currently available.
The Horse
Food requirements:
20lbs of grain a day
Water requirements:
8 gallons (80lbs.) a day.
Carring ability:
250 lbs.
Speed:
4 miles per hour.
Work and Rest:
Horses can work for an
8 hour day
The Donkey
Food Requirements:
15 lbs. of grain a day
Water Requirements:
8.4 gallons of water a day
Carrying Ability:
200 lbs.
Speed:
3 miles per hour
Work and Rest:
A Donkey can be
worked 8 hours day.
The Camel
Food Requirements
10 lbs. of grain and
25 lbs. of straw
Water Requirements:
8 gallons (80 lbs.) of water
a day. Of course, Camels are
known for their ability to go
3 to 4 days without water,
but after that they will need
a long drink of 20 gallons.
Carrying Ability:
250 lbs. maximum. A camel
saddle weighs 50 lbs.
Speed:
3 miles per hour steadily.
Work and Rest:
A camel can put in an 8 hour
day before resting.
The Mule
Food Requirements:
20 lbs. of grain a day.
Water Requirements:
8 gallons (80 lbs.) of water
a day.
Carrying Ability
250 lbs.
Speed
4 miles per hour
Work and Rest:
Mules can be worked 8 hours a day.
The Ox
Food Requirements:
100 lbs. of grain a day.
Water Requirements:
10 gallons a day
Carrying Ability:
A 2 ox cart can carry 1450 lbs.
Speed:
About 2 miles per hour.
Work and Rest:
Oxen can work only about
5 hours a day.
Maritime Transport Systems:
Types of Merchant Ships and
their Carrying Capacities
Chilamphores carried 1,000 amphorae (jars).
Dischiliamphores carried 2,000 amphorae.
Trichilamphores carried 3,000 amphorae.
Myriamphores carried 10,000 amphorae.
An amphora was a measure of capacity
corresponding to a talent", a measure of
weight equivalent to 56 pounds. The
largest merchant ships could carry up to
400 tons.