How inflation whipped the Romans

RJ Hamster

2 years ago

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

In today’s newsletter, we discover the blue zones of happiness, examine how inflation bruised ancient Rome, explore 158 years of U.S. mail-in voting, plumb the most divisive election in U.S. history (no, it’s not 2020) … and delight in this red-backed bearded saki.

IMAGES COURTESY OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM

It cost a lot to maintain the world’s greatest empire. A new story finds a clue to Rome’s decline can be found in the smallest of its artifacts as well as its majestic walls and columns.

Rome’s coins tell a story of a strapped empire faced with plague, enhanced military spending, and mob riots. Rome had to reduce the amount of silver in those coins it minted to cover expenses. Over the decades, that led to crippling inflation, one factor in its fall (along with invading Goths, corruption, and overreliance on slave labor).

The empire eventually split in two—and was never the same again.

Read the full story of Rome’s small artifacts here.

Please, consider getting our full digital report and magazine by subscribing here.

The coin of the realm: This silver denarius serratus (shown above) was cast in 106 B.C. Later versions of these coins had less silver. At top, an engraving on this scarab from the second or third century B.C. shows a seated Prometheus creating life. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY CORY RICHARDS

Are these the world’s happiest places? (Pictured above, leaping into Copenhagen’s harbor)

Titanic images reveal a meticulous mosaic of the doomed luxury liner

Can underwater gardens help feed the Earth?

Underground Everest? The deep climb into Uzbekistan’s Dark Star cave

These twins may make you rethink your views on race

How long has the U.S. had mail-in voting? 158 years.

The Rorschach test is more accurate than you think

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM

Case solved: Sharon Estill Taylor was only seven years old when she promised to find her missing father. Her dad, Shannon Estill, was a pilot during WWII and went missing only three weeks after Sharon was born. His plane and body were never found—until his love letters to Sharon’s mom, Mary Taylor Estill, helped Sharon track him down 60 years later, Nat Geo reports. (Pictured above, the Estills in 1943, on their wedding day.)

LOVE LETTER CLUES

PHOTO OF THE DAY

VIDEO BY @JOELSARTORE

Hello, Winnifred! She’s a red-backed bearded saki whose image by photographer and Nat Geo Explorer Joel Sartore has led to more than 567,000 likes on our Instagram. All members of this species, which live in groups of up to 55, have thick beards and buns on their heads. Their favorite foods? Nuts and seeds.

SEE JAPAN’S SNOW MONKEYS

LAST GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Most divisive U.S. election? Stuffed ballot boxes, tossed ballots, voter intimidation, and a call for a “peaceful army” to march on Washington. The election of 1876 rivals the 2020 election as the most divisive in U.S. history—but the 1876 “fix” dealt a setback to Black rights and democracy that had been gained after the Civil War. Rutherford B. Hayes (pictured above, left, with his running mate) was named president in the seamiest of back-room deals. Congress later created safeguards to protect democracy that are still in place today—including the January 6th proceedings.

WHITHER MAJORITY RULE?

Today’s soundtrack: “For the Good of Your Country,” by Jimmy Rushing and Count Basie & his Orchestra

We hope you liked today’s newsletter. This was edited and curated by Sydney Combs, Jen Tse, Heather Kim, and David Beard. If you’re an adult American citizen, did you cast a vote? What was your first election? Let us know. Happy trails!

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