There lived a king in the Middle Ages, whose innumerable wealth was legendary. His name is Mans Moose I. Modern experts say that if the king's fortune was transferred to modern money, his size would be four hundred billion dollars, and this is the first place in the top of the richest people in the world today. What was this indigenous inhabitant of the African continent, nicknamed the "Sun King"?
Travel to Mecca
The year 1312 was marked for the empire of Mali, located in West Africa, with the coming to power of the new king Musa Keith, named "Mans" (translated as king). While the European countries of the Middle Ages were going through hard times, peace and prosperity reigned in the African kingdom of Mansa Musa I. The West African Empire included: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso. These lands were excessively rich in precious stones and gold deposits. This was used to the full by the Sun King, who once was going to travel to Mecca.
According to various sources, 60-80 thousand people took part in the king's retinue, who accompanied him during the pilgrimage, and the length of the caravan was regarded as close to infinity.
Mance had no need to travel. The hot, sultry days that he spent in the royal tent were full of food and entertainment. After the successful crossing of the Sahara, a caravan of many thousands arrived in Cairo, which caused a real sensation not only among the local population. The fame of the African emperor's wealth spread to other parts of the world.
How gold ravaged Cairo
Despite all the difficulties that arose during the journey, about a hundred bags of golden sand weighing three centners each were delivered safe and sound to the destination. The Sultan of Cairo was presented with a gift worth 50 thousand dinars. In return, Mance received a palace, horses, camels and an escort to Mecca. The duty to Allah was fulfilled, but the caravan got lost and was attacked by the Bedouins in the Hijag desert, but still managed to return back to Cairo. Due to Muns' generosity, Cairo's economy was destroyed for several years. Gold has depreciated due to its excessive availability with Cairo merchants.
Mansa Mus wasted his treasures mediocrely. On the way back, I had to take borrowed funds from local merchants and even sell the palace donated by the Sultan.
Portulan, created in 1339 by the Jew A. Dulser, who lived in Mallorca, contained a mark about the Empire of Mali and King Manse. On the map, this place in Africa was designated as a gold-rich area. Most of the maps created in the Middle Ages had marks of a rich African kingdom.
The wealth of the Mali empire played a role. The image of a king with a large gold coin was adorned with the overwhelming majority of the portolans of the Middle Ages. Such popularity determined Mance's entry into world history and geography. Mance Moose ruled the empire for 25 years. He died in 1337. His son came to power, not distinguished by a great desire for wealth and management skills on an imperial scale. The days of the empire were numbered.
