There’s a Lot of Currency in Ruins

Central Italy’s bronze was to early Rome what traditional currencies are to us now. As Rome expanded, it integrated precious metals, much like today’s interest in gold reserves. The denarius, introduced in 211BC, can be likened to a dominant global currency today. As Rome transitioned to Empire, they debased the denarius to finance their expenses, reminiscent of some modern nations printing money, leading to inflation. Despite this, Rome insisted on taxes in pure metals, echoing how some countries still demand debt payments in strong currencies. This unsustainable strategy, paired with overextension like some economies today, signaled Rome’s financial downfall.