![]() The Romans give up on foreign trade, giving African traders a monopoly in the Western Mediterranean. Suffice it to say that in the treaties with Carthage – then not yet a sworn enemy of the Republic – concluded in the 4th century B.C. Well, it seemed that the descendants of the shepherds from the Tiber at that time were not interested in trade, especially long-distance trade – it was possible that, as avid farmers, they even felt a kind of disgust at obtaining income from evil trade speculation. Late, considering that the money economy has long been very good in the Mediterranean at that time. It wasn’t until 289 BCE triumviri monetales, officials to oversee the state mint, were formed in Rome. Aes, as, was also the name of a later small Roman coin, but in those days there were no coins in Latium (and if they appeared was only as imports, probably of great value). But the agricultural entrepreneur from Esqiline could say that aurum et argentum nihil me est – because the currency was none of these precious metals but a weighed bronze nugget called aes rude. The development of Latin settlements from the Palatine or Quirinal caused that, in addition to pecus, their cash equivalents began to appear in circulation, as we would say today. Nevertheless, in those days no longer paid by the honest sheep or hardworking oxen. The agrarian nature of Roman society persisted for a very long time – even at the time of the fall of the Republic, military leaders (Julius Ceasar for example) took care of providing their veterans with land plots after their service. From the word pecus (cattle) comes pecunia – money. he was above all a farmer and saw nothing wrong in following the plow. For modern man unaccustomed to natural smells, this is definitely not something smelly, but a resident of ancient Rome, even a powerful republican senator from the 4th century B.C. Pecus – sheep and oxen: this was the currency of the first Romans. Living on the slopes of the Palatine, Esquiline or Quirinal, villagers of the Iron Age were not too rich in metal – hence the limited trade in those days had to be based on something else. However, before we get to the clue, that is, the stories about the beginnings of the Roman currency, it is worth remembering that the beginnings of Rome are quite simple farmers and shepherds living in the hills near the Tiber River. The etymology of the word “pecunia” – “money” tells us, that for today’s townsman sitting comfortably in a possible air-conditioned room in front of a computer screen, the first Roman money would be somewhat smelly. Pecunia non olet – money does not stink – according to legend, this word was committed by the emperor Vespasian by cutting off the complaints of his son, Titus, to donate income to the imperial treasury from taxing public toilets. Rome’s contacts with Africa and Far East. ![]() Radix omnium malorum est cupiditas - The love of money is the root of all evil. ![]() Nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit - No fort is so strong that it cannot be taken with (Nervus rerum.) - The nerve of war, money. Has been wrongly gained is wrongly lost.(Cicero) In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas - In necessary things unity, in doubtful Homo doctus is se semper divitias habet - A learned man always has wealth within himself (Juvenalis)Ĭorruptio optimi pessima - Corruption of the best is worstĮvery man is the artisan of his own fortune. Latin is a suitable language for all quotes, but these seem to work particularly well.Ībite nummi, ego vos mergam, ne mergar a vobis - Away with you, money,Ĭrescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crevit - The love of wealth grows as the wealth itself grew. Some quotes that have to do with money, success (and lack therof), wealth and human nature in general.
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