08-19-2009, 11:51 PM
One for the mulling pot......
I can't remember where I saw this but there has been a claim that a certain Nobilis Decurio named Joseph of Arimathea had an early post-invasion controlling interest in the tin and lead mines of west Britain :? lol: !) does this suggest that the Roman state were quite prepared to leave the nuts and bolts of such operations to proven contenders who could recognise a profit factor?
In another source (possibly Salway) it is claimed that the mineral wealth of Cornwall and Devon remained secondary ( and somewhat of an open secret) until the prime centres in Spain were lost through barbarian incursion.
Would tin find greater use in the production of coinage - especially as degrading increased with sucessive devaluations?
I'm assuming that tin continued to be used for the production of ornamental products and trinkets (our version of the gift trade!) and personal effects such as
amulets, necklaces, rings, trappings for horses etc, etc.
Sorry, this topic seems to be wandering off the military history forum!!!
I can't remember where I saw this but there has been a claim that a certain Nobilis Decurio named Joseph of Arimathea had an early post-invasion controlling interest in the tin and lead mines of west Britain :? lol: !) does this suggest that the Roman state were quite prepared to leave the nuts and bolts of such operations to proven contenders who could recognise a profit factor?
In another source (possibly Salway) it is claimed that the mineral wealth of Cornwall and Devon remained secondary ( and somewhat of an open secret) until the prime centres in Spain were lost through barbarian incursion.
Would tin find greater use in the production of coinage - especially as degrading increased with sucessive devaluations?
I'm assuming that tin continued to be used for the production of ornamental products and trinkets (our version of the gift trade!) and personal effects such as
amulets, necklaces, rings, trappings for horses etc, etc.
Sorry, this topic seems to be wandering off the military history forum!!!
Romanonick/Nick Deacon
