The History and Evolution of Ferulae - Ancient Roman Measuring Instruments

Ferulae (plural of ferula) is a Latin word that refers to a type of ancient Roman measuring instrument used for measuring lengths and distances. It was a rod or staff with graduations marked on it, typically in feet or inches, and was used by surveyors, architects, and other professionals to measure the length of lines, curves, and other shapes.

The word "ferula" is derived from the Latin word "ferreus," meaning "iron," as the original ferulae were made of iron. Over time, the term came to be used more broadly to refer to any type of measuring instrument or rule, regardless of its material composition.

In modern English, the word "ferrule" is sometimes used as a synonym for "ruler" or "measuring stick," although it is less common than other terms like "ruler" or "measuring tape."