Empire of Gold | 4. Gold Rush

This episode explores the economic consequences of Mansa Musa's visit to Cairo in the 14th century. Against the backdrop of Musa's lavish spending and generous gift-giving, which initially delighted the Cairene merchants, a significant inflationary crisis unfolded. More significantly, the influx of gold dramatically decreased its value, leading to a sharp increase in prices for everyday goods. For instance, the merchants initially profited immensely from Musa's extravagant purchases, but they soon found themselves unable to afford goods at the inflated prices. This economic turmoil resulted in widespread discontent among the Egyptian populace, culminating in riots and unrest in the streets of Cairo. Musa, recognizing the severity of the situation, implemented a solution by borrowing back the gold he had spent, temporarily alleviating the crisis. However, the long-term consequences of this economic disruption and the underlying issues remain unresolved, setting the stage for future challenges.