How to Make Money

<p><b>An enriching collection of classical writings about how ancient Romans made--and thought about--money</b> <p/>Ancient Romans liked money. But how did they make a living and sometimes even become rich? The Roman economy was dominated by agriculture but it was surprisingly modern in many ways: the Romans had companies with CEOs shareholders and detailed contracts regulated by meticulous laws; systems of banking and taxation; and a wide range of occupations from merchant and doctor to architect and teacher. The Romans also enjoyed a relatively open society where some could start from the bottom work invest and grow rich. <i>How to Make Money </i>gathers a wide variety of ancient writings that show how Romans thought about made invested spent lost and gave away money. <p/>The Roman elite idealized farming and service to the state but treated many other occupations with suspicion or contempt from money lending to wage labor. But whatever their attitudes <i>pecunia</i> made the Roman world go round. In the <i>Satyricon</i> Trimalchio brags about his wealth. Seneca accumulated a fortune--but taught that money can't buy happiness. Eumachia inherited a brick factory from her father married well and turned to philanthropy after she was widowed. <i>How to Make Money</i> also takes up some of the most troubling aspects of the Roman economy slavery and prostitution which the elite deemed unrespectable but often profited from. <p/>Featuring lively new translations an illuminating introduction and the original Latin and Greek texts on facing pages <i>How to Make Money </i>offers a revealing look at the Roman worlds of work and money.</p>