Blog/Ancient Economies

Julius Caesar & the Black Basalt Bust Commissioned by Cleopatra
The black basalt bust of Julius Caesar is more likely than not the one commissioned by Cleopatra herself. We know that Cleopatra had built an elaborate shrine, or [...]
Read More
Money: What Is It? What is Interest? What is the Wealth of a Nation?
Angela Merkel and IMF chief Christine Lagarde can laugh it up as Europe burns down. The whole crisis stems from antiquated ideas that center on what money actually [...]
Read More
Socialism vs. Helping the Poor
Above is a Roman Æ Sestertius (34mm, 22.18 g) of Nerva (AD 96—98), struck at the mint of Rome (97 AD). The reverse reads: “PLEBEI VRBE FRVMENTO [...]
Read More
France Paying Informants to Confiscate Wealth
French customs officials received a tip that lead to the confiscation of a rare painting. The Guardian reported that French customs officers boarded a yacht [...]
Read More
Rome: Another Example of Detroit?
Rome, perhaps the first European capital city to be on the verge of bankruptcy, demonstrates that in economics, nothing is eternal. Governments everywhere are in [...]
Read More
The Sixth Wave 2032.95
QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong; Will you be going over the Sixth Wave this year at the WEC? What you just posted about the Maunder Minimum is very interesting to say the [...]
Read More
Why Was the 1933 Confiscation of Gold A “Good Thing”?
QUESTION: Why was the confiscation of gold by FDR in 1933 a good thing? ED ANSWER: What you have to understand is that Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (FDR) actions [...]
Read More
The Monetary History of the Mongols
QUESTION: Dear Martin, Attached please find a review of a book on the achievements of Khan (1162- 1227). Despite his image, this visionary leader adopted some [...]
Read More
The 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta – a Tax Revolt Against the Abuse of Government
QUESTION: Hello Martin, I enjoy reading your articles on historical events. It is a refreshing change from mainstream media’s spin. It will be 800 years [...]
Read More
Money, Credit, Debt, and Derivatives
QUESTION: Mr Armstrong; Reading through you blog it seems the chronology of money begins with derivatives, credit/debt, and barter with coinage coming in much later [...]
Read More