Chorbates, Roman Leveling Instrument #2

 

This is a better view of the water tray in the top of the table.

Chorbates, Roman Leveling Instrument

 

The Chorbates was introduced in Roman literature by Vetruvius (viii 5 1-3). The instrument was approximately six meters in length, and 1.5 meters high. The water trough in the table top was approximately 1.5 meters long. The instrument seems to have been used for leveling platforms and was used primarily as a large builder's level. The four pegs extending from the table top horizontally are for the installation of a plumb line.

Reference:-- M.J.T. Lewis, "Surveying Instruments of Greece and Rome," Cambridge University Press, 2001, Pages 27-28. (ISBN 0 521 79297 5 (hardback)