Convert Scruple (Apothecary) (s.ap) to Drachma (Biblical Greek) (drachma) instantly.
About these units
Scruple (Apothecary) (s.ap)
The scruple is an old apothecary unit equal to 20 grains or 1.2959782 grams, originating in ancient Greek and Roman medicine. Apothecaries used scruples for compounding herbal remedies, powders, and tinctures long before standardized metric systems were adopted. Its size made it ideal for preparing early pharmaceuticals where doses needed to be accurate but not excessively granular. Over centuries, the scruple appeared in medical recipes, early scientific writings, and even medieval charms and remedies. Although obsolete today, replaced by milligrams and grams, the scruple is vital for historians studying early medical texts, pharmacy records, and classical-era scientific practices.
Drachma (Biblical Greek) (drachma)
The drachma, roughly 4.3 grams, served as the principal Greek silver unit for centuries. Both a mass and a monetary unit, the drachma appears extensively in ancient writings, from philosophy to commerce to biblical passages. The term originates from "a handful," linking the weight to early barter practices. Over time, it became a symbol of civic identity—different city-states minted distinct drachmas with unique iconography. Its influence survives in the name of Greece's former national currency, the drachma, reinforcing its cultural legacy.