Importance Of Gold In The Roman Empire
Sunday, 22. November 2009
The history of ancient Rome goes back to 753 B.C, it was expanded into an empire over a period, as in the beginning, it was just a small town. They are quite renowned for their use of gold even until today. The Roman Empire grew very quickly after 300 B.C. this growth can be linked to their increased supply of gold in their capital. The supply of gold in those days was as high as 10 tonnes.
This vivid supply was as high as ten tonnes. This gold was not use for jewellery making instead it was meant for making coins in which, they were quite skilled, the Romans in a way laid down the foundation of gold coins, as money in the whole Europe. The evidence of this is available, as archaeologists have dug out many such coins.
The reality that gold was plentiful sufficient to be used in coins explains the strength, and power of the Roman Empire. Copper, and silver coins were not that commonly used they were only used for purchases in small amounts. Although gold coins were in use in the western Turkey, and Greece during the reign of Alexander the Great as well, but that was only in emergencies. When the Emperor Augustus died, gold coins were encrusted with his head, became common in use.
These gold coins were used to pay the wages of the soldiers. The evidence also suggests that the rich people also used these coins. Apart from being used in jewellery, the gold was used for the first time as a piece of money instead of just being a decoration or a base of social symbol.
With the growth of the Empire, Rome acquired more control over the gold production from the surrounding areas as well. The Egyptian conquest gave them control over gold from Africa. Mining was rigorously in process in Spain; towards Eastern Europe, they overtook Romania in lure of the gold mines, and this was the main reason for planning a conquest towards Britain. Britain was believed to be a metal rich country, and though gold by itself might not be in abundance, it was there if mined in areas like Dolaucothi, and Carmarthenshire.
The gold supplies fell considerably when the Roman Empire was at its downfall. The size of the coin was reduced than the original size, and the original gold coins were used occasionally. The economy became a focus of attention than decorating churches, and buildings. Inflation was increasing considerably.
It came down to exchanging food, and eatables for services, and purchases. The fall of the Roman Empire finally came around in AD 476. A most impressive collection of the roman coins, and jewellery is on display at the British museum.
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