Skip to content

Ancient Economies

Why Money Need Not Be “Tangible”

COMMENT:  You said: “The wealth of a nation is the total productivity of its people. If I have gold and want you to fix my house, I give you the gold for...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...