Who is the richest emperor in human history?

The richest person in the modern world up to now is Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation with a total assets of 75 billion USD. But if you go back to the past, the richest man in the world in human history is Emperor Mansa Musa I of Mali empire with more than 400 billion dollars of assets. A good distance from Bill Gates.

Mansa Musa I or Musa Keita I was born in 1280, is the 10th emperor of the kingdom of Mali. When he was enthroned he expanded Mail territory after conquering 24 cities and other areas. He died in 1337, and accumulated huge blocks of wealth that could hardly be detailed. It is estimated that his wealth is worth more than 400 billion USD if converted into present value.

Who is the richest emperor in human history? Picture 1
Portrait of emperor Mansa Musa I of Mali empire.

Forbes magazine recently announced a list of the world's top billionaires 2016. Accordingly, Bill Gates tops the list with total assets of 75 billion USD, followed by Amancio Ortega, the founder of the fashion brand. page Zara with $ 67 billion and Warren Buffett, CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Group with $ 60.8 billion. Even the total assets of the three richest billionaires in the modern world did not surpass the king Mansa Musa I.

Mansa Musa I is the nephew of King Abubakari Keita II and is designated as regent when the king pilgrims go to Mecca or perform any responsibility.

When King Abubakari Keita II set out to find the end of the Atlantic, he did not spread the word. Mansa Musa I sent 2000 jets to search for the whereabouts of this king of discovery, but the fleet did not return. In 1312, Musa I was recognized as the emperor of Mali.

At that time, Mail was a powerful empire, holding important trade routes. It is also a major supplier of gold and salt in the world. After taking the throne, Mansa Musa also expanded the territory to other areas. The Mail empire spreads over 3,200km, comprising areas of today Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Chad, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Niger and Nigeria.

By controlling important trade routes between West Africa and the Mediterranean, Mansa Musa has turned Timbuktu into an important economic and cultural center of Muslim and African countries.

Mansa Musa built Timbuktu University, Djinguereber temple to attract Muslim scholars and artists, encouraging urbanization in his kingdom.

Who is the richest emperor in human history? Picture 2

Traditionally in Islam, Mansa Musa I made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. This is considered to be the most luxurious and magnificent pilgrimage of a king to pay attention to Europe. The 6,400km journey with the entourage amounted to 60,000 people, including 12,000 slaves, 500 messengers wearing silk costumes, gold jewelry and lots of camels and horses carrying gold bullion, for Mansa Musa to distribute for the poor people he met on the road. This made him known as an extremely generous king.

He also built many temples along the way in Gundam, Direy, Wanko, Dukurey, Bako, some still exist today.

During a stopover in the city of Alexandria in Egypt, Mansa Musa distributed gold to the poor , bought food and souvenirs inadvertently led to years-long inflation here. Mansa Musa's pilgrimage lasts for a year.

Mansa Musa always respects the development of Islam, but respects freedom of belief and religious freedom. The education under his time was completely free. This has attracted many talents from all over the world to come here to study and develop.

The name of Mansa Musa I, the wealthy king of the Mali empire, has spread and attracted the attention of European mapmakers. In 1375, the portrait of Mansa Musa I appeared in the Catalan Atlas, one of the most important medieval world maps in Europe with the image of sitting on the throne and a gold ingot in hand to symbolize his wealth.

Currently, Mansa Musa is still considered the richest person in the world and also one of the most historic people in history.

See also: Rothschild - The richest family of all time