THE MONEY PROJECT PRESENTS

THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN HISTORY

UP UNTIL THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

When we think of wealth today, we often think of the massive personal fortunes of
business magnates like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, or Warren Buffett, However, it is
only since the Industrial evolution that measuring wealth by one's bank account has
been a norm for the worlds richest.For most of recorded human history, in fact,
the lines around wealth were quite blurred. Leaders like Augustus Caesar or
Emperor Shenzong had absolute control of their empires - while bankers like Jakob
Fogger and Cosimo de Medici were often found pulling the strings from behind.

This infographic focuses on the wealthiest people in history up until the Industrial
Revolution - but it should be noted that the list is also not "definitive for several
reasons Firstly, much wealth in early periods is Med to land (Genghis Khan) or
entire empires (Augustus, Akbar), which makes calculations extremely subjective.
What is most of Asia's land worth in the year 1219? What separates personal
fortune from the riches of an empire that one has full control of?

Secondly, records kept from Ancient eras are scarce, or are based on legends and
oral histories, Think of King Solomon or Mansa Musa - these are characters
described as immeasurably rich, so trying to put their wealth in modern context is
fun, but certainly not guaranteed to be historically accurate. Lastly, wealth and
conversion rates can be approached in different ways as well. Take Crassus in the
Roman Republic, who had a peak fortune of "200 million sesterces". Well, that's a
problem for us in modernity, because that stash could be worth anywhere from
$200 million to $169.8 billion, depending on how calculaMons are done.

So, enjoy the list of the wealthiest historical figures, but keep in mind that it is
mostly for fun -and that the list of the wealthiest people in human history changes
depending on who you ask!
o - 25-30%

Ruler of the extremely powerful Song Dynasty in China.China's wealth at this

Mme came from technological innovation and extreme diligence in collecting
taxes.The Song Dynastys government was highly centralized, meaning the
emperor held enormous control over the economy.The Song Dynasty was the first
to use gunpowder, and also pioneered the use of paper money.

25%

Akbar ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent, known as the Mughal Empire,
from 1556 until 1605. During Akbars reign, the empire tripled in size and wealth.
Some economic historians say the Mughals had a GDP per capita comparable with
Elizabethan England. However, they also had a ruling class whose extravagant
lifestyle surpassed that of the European society. The Mughal Dynasty was also
one of the most effective empires of all Mme at extracting wealth from the
population.

22.7

The only female emperor in China's history, she is considered the richest woman of
all timeedging out Cleopatra and Catherine the Great. With a 15-year reign, Wu
expanded the Tang Dynasty empire into central Asia, making it one of the largest
in the world at the time. Before she became China's first female emperor, she was a
regent. Her son, the eventual emperor, was too young to rule. When 690 rolled
along. Wu convinced her son to abdicate. Wu declared a new dynasty, and
officially took on the title of emperor

4.6 .

The first Roman Emperor controlled many of the worlds most powerful states at
once, while holding significant personal holdings as well. Augustus' wealth peaked
when he personally owned Egypt as part o f his private property. Egypt made up
25-30% of global GDP at the time, and had some of the best agricultural land in
the Mediterranean.
 1

Arguably the most famous conqueror and military strategist in history. At its peak,
the Mongol Empire stretched from China to Europe, covering 22% of all land area
on Earth. Despite massive victory spoils, the Great Khan never built a palace,
temple, tomb, or even a house. He distributed much of this wealth to his soldiers
and their families.

-2.2

According to the Bible, King , Solomon was famous for his wealth and wisdom,
even in far away lands. Every year for his 39 years o f rule, it is said that Solomon
received 25 tons of gold as tribute. This alone works out to more than $40 billion.
Most of Solomons riches came from business, trade, and tributes from Arabia and
Levant. His throne is said to have been made with pure gold coating and ivory
inlays, along with 12 lion statues and even a footstool made of solid gold. King
Solomon was so rich that it is said that his immense wealth caused silver to
become worthless as rocks.

415 .

The King of Timbuktu had so much wealth that his contemporaries said it was
impossible to describe. Musas west African kingdom was likely the largest
producer of gold in the worldat a Mme during which gold was in especially high
demand. It's hard to put his wealth in to context, but some historians say he is the
wealthiest person of all time. As an example, during a pilgrimage to Mecca, he
brought with him 60,000 companions and 12,000 slaves, each of whom carried a 4
lb gold bar. There were 80 camels that each carried a 50-300 lb bag of gold dust.
There was so much gold, in fact, that Musa single-handedly caused hyperinfiation
and a currency crisis in Egypt as he passed through.
 - 277 .

This famous banker for the Hapsburg Dynasty and the Pope helped displace the
Medici family as Europes most prominent bankers. Fugger was a true
businessman, with multiple interests in sectors like mining, banking, and trading.
Fugger's impact on the world is hard to quantify. His decision to loan money to one
archbishop (and the ensuing events) led to Martin Luther publishing his famous 95
Theses, which was a catalyst for the Christian Reformation. Fugger funded kings
and popes, backed wars, and helped propel the Hapsburgs to become the most
important dynasty in Europe. One historian has called Fugger the most influential
businessman of all time.

- 228 .

An illegitimate son and the descendant of Vikings, William eventually launched

the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The massive increase in royal land
holdings allowed the conqueror from Normandy to become one of the richest
people in history William gifted land and other assets to his most loyal supporters,
including his nephew Alan Rufus.

195 .

The nephew and an early supporter of William the Conqueror. Alan Rufus was in
the right place at theright Mme. Thanks to his support and forcrushing a Saxon
rebellion, William the Conqueror granted him the title of the1st Lord of
Richmond. Richmond was one of the most important fiefdoms in Norman England,
at 250,000 acres in size, running this land was a huge source of Rufus wealth. A t
its peak, Rufus net worth was equal to 7% o f Englands GDP.
 169.8 .

Crassus was known as the richest man in the Rome, with a personal net worth
equal to the Roman Treasury. When the new dictator Sulla was auctioning off
confiscated property, Crassus was given the pick of the lots at prices well below
market value. Crassus also financed Julius Caesar's election campaign for Pontifex
Maximus, and later got repaid with a handsome tax break. Crassus also was known
to show up to burning houses with a fire brigade, offering to put the fire out if the
owner first sold him the house for an ultra low price. Crassus had at least 7.4
million oz of gold alone, according to Plutarch.

-169.4 .

This Byzantine ruler was born into the throne - but also expanded the empire
handily. Served for 49 years as emperor, and extended imperial rule to the Balkans
(notably Bulgaria), Mesopotamia, Georgia, and Armenia. By the time of his death,
he had accumulated 100 tons of gold.

129 .

While the rest of the famous Medicis were focused on politics or The Church,
Cosimo cleaned up on the banking end of things. Despite never technically running
for o ffice, he was "king in all but name of Florence. Cosimo owed a great deal of
his riches to his father Giovanni di Bicci,who founded the Medici bank and
supported the return o f the papacy to Rome in 1410. Giovanni was awarded the
role o f personal banker for the Pope, tax contracts, and mines, all of which helped
build the fortune of the Medici Family. The Medici family is known for producing
four popes, as well as supporting Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, and Boticelli.