BEIZA or Beizath. This word in Hebrew signifies an Egg1, and a certain measure in use among the Jews. They say that an Egg contains the sixth part of a Log, and consequently three cubick inches and this fraction ⁶⁷⁸⁸⁹⁵/₄₁₄₉₀₇. The Beiza is likewise a sort of gold coin common among the Persians: it weighs forty drachma’s, and from this word, not from the City Byzantium the Besam was formed. A Besam is worth two Dinars, and every Dinar twenty or five and twenty Drachma’s2. The Persians say Philip of Macedon owed Darius King of Persia a thousand Beizaths, or gold Eggs, for Tribute-money; and that Alexander the Great succeeding Philip, refused to pay them, saying, the bird which laid these Eggs was flown into the other world.
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