When you think of the richest person ever you might think of Bill gates, Jef Bezos, Elon Musk or Bernard Arnault. But according to historians and many different accounts, Mansa Musa is the richest person ever.
Mansa Musa was the 14th-century emperor of the West African kingdom of Mali. He is widely considered one of the richest people in history, and his wealth was so vast that it is difficult to even comprehend its scale. Mansa Musa's wealth was largely due to the enormous quantities of gold that were produced in Mali during his reign. In this article, we will explore Mansa Musa's life and legacy, and delve into just how rich he really was.
Early Life and Reign
Mansa Musa was born in 1280 in the West African kingdom of Mali, which at the time was one of the richest and most powerful states in the region. His grandfather, Sundiata Keita, had founded the kingdom and had established a system of government that was based on trade and commerce. This system made Mali one of the wealthiest states in Africa and allowed it to dominate the trans-Saharan trade routes that linked West Africa with North Africa and the Middle East.
Mansa Musa came to the throne in 1312, following the death of his predecessor, Abu-Bakr II. He inherited a vast and wealthy kingdom, and he quickly set about expanding Mali's territories and trade links. Under his rule, Mali became even more prosperous, with the kingdom's gold mines producing unprecedented amounts of the precious metal.
The Scale of Mansa Musa's Wealth
It is difficult to quantify just how wealthy Mansa Musa was, but there are a few accounts that give some indication of the scale of his wealth. According to some sources, Mansa Musa's personal wealth was estimated to be around $400 billion in today's money, which would make him the richest person in history by far. However, it is worth noting that these figures are largely speculative, and it is impossible to know the true extent of Mansa Musa's wealth.
One of the most famous accounts of Mansa Musa's wealth comes from his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. Mansa Musa was a devout Muslim, and he undertook the pilgrimage as an act of piety. However, his journey was also an opportunity to display Mali's wealth and power to the rest of the Islamic world.
Mansa Musa's pilgrimage was an incredibly lavish affair. He travelled with a retinue of thousands of people, including slaves, soldiers, and courtiers. He brought with him enormous quantities of gold, which he distributed to the poor and needy along the way. According to some accounts, Mansa Musa gave away so much gold that he caused a brief period of inflation in the regions he passed through.
One contemporary account of Mansa Musa's pilgrimage comes from the Arab scholar and geographer, Ibn Battuta. Battuta travelled with Mansa Musa for a time and wrote about the emperor's immense wealth:
"The king's entourage consisted of 60,000 men, all dressed in fine brocade and Persian silk... The king rode on horseback, surrounded by a thousand men on horseback, all wearing gold-embroidered turbans and gold chains around their necks... Gold was so abundant that it was sold by weight, like any other commodity."
Another account of Mansa Musa's wealth comes from the Catalan Atlas, a 14th-century map that depicts Mansa Musa holding a large nugget of gold. The map's legend describes Mansa Musa as "the richest king in the world."
Mansa Musa's Legacy
Mansa Musa's reign had a profound impact on West Africa, and his legacy can still be felt today. His patronage of the arts and sciences helped to make Mali a center of learning and culture, and his support for Islam helped to spread the religion throughout the region.
Mansa Musa's wealth also had an impact beyond Africa. His pilgrimage to Mecca, which showcased Mali's wealth and power, drew the attention of the Islamic world to West Africa and helped to establish Mali as an important player in the global economy. The gold that Mansa Musa distributed during his journey had a profound effect on the economies of the regions he passed through, and it helped to establish Mali as a major center of trade.
Mansa Musa's legacy can also be seen in the architecture of Mali. During his reign, he commissioned the construction of numerous mosques and universities, many of which still stand today. These buildings are a testament to Mansa Musa's patronage of the arts and his commitment to promoting education and learning.
Perhaps the most lasting legacy of Mansa Musa, however, is his impact on the perception of Africa in the Western world. During the Middle Ages, Africa was often seen as a place of darkness and ignorance, but Mansa Musa's wealth and power challenged these stereotypes. His journey to Mecca, which demonstrated Mali's wealth and sophistication, helped to change the way that Africa was perceived by the rest of the world.
Conclusion
Mansa Musa was one of the most remarkable figures in African history, and his wealth and power continue to inspire awe and fascination today. While it is difficult to quantify just how rich he was, it is clear that his wealth was vast and that it had a profound impact on the world around him. His patronage of the arts and sciences helped to make Mali a center of learning and culture, and his support for Islam helped to spread the religion throughout the region. Above all, Mansa Musa's legacy is a testament to the power of African kingdoms and the enduring influence of African culture and history.
Sources:
"Mansa Musa: The richest man who ever lived?" by Gary Rivlin. The Guardian, 19 June 2019.
"Mansa Musa: The African king who was the richest man in the world" by Sarah Laskow. Atlas Obscura, 14 February 2017.
"Mansa Musa: The Emperor of Mali's wealth was so immense that it baffled the medieval world" by Mark Cartwright. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 22 March 2019.
"Mansa Musa: The richest man in history" by CNN Staff. CNN, 13 September 2021.
"The legacy of Mansa Musa, the richest man in history" by Christina M. Gonzalez. National Geographic, 1 July 2021.
Comments