A Roma!

The 

Colosseum

Only so much of Rome can be seen, and only so much of Rome can be understood in the short time we have here. Our guide today has lived in Rome for 21 years, and still has not been to all of the city. The history of Rome is truly overwhelming, and the clear skies leave all of us awestruck at the detail of Rome. So many buildings, from so many different time periods - it difficult to explain, and difficult to comprehend. Centuries upon centuries of people have toiled to build what is now enjoyed by everyone in Rome.  Our "Roma Pass" has taken us through the bus and subway system to the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Roman Forum - these are merely a few of the famous Roman spots we have seen so far. We cannot wait for the Vatican tomorrow.

The Pantheon

                                                                     The Roman Forum


Our discussions recently have focused on the Medieval Roman Catholic Church. We discussed its characteristics as a monopoly of the salvation industry in the Middle Ages. Dan and I specifically looked at it use of usery ( essentially interest bearing loans) as a form of income. Before this period, the church's political and spiritual goals outstripped its financial capabilities. They established what is called the Apostolic Camera - essentially a treasury department for the Roman Catholic Church.

The Roman Catholic Church banned usery - public or private. Financial records examined from the Middle Ages evidence that the church charged interest when loans were within an "arms reach." Loans that were kept discreet (such as loans to the Medici family or other members of the Apostolic Camera) bore interest. Loaning to and from a powerful family like the Medicis established a relationship that could allow the church to have more political influence in Italy. Like all other monopolies, the data seems to suggest that the Roman Catholic Church had interest in wealth maximization.

Treating the church as a business in the salvation industry provides unique insight into the intentions and inner workings of the church that is supported by the academically reputable articles. Seeing the Vatican tomorrow gives us the opportunity to visualize what we have discussed. The group is excited to see the art, history, fame, and beauty of the Vatican, now that we have a better sense of its economic history.

Vatican here we come!!!!

-Colton