kwgeraldsI have a degree in classical archaeology and the history I studied was obsessed with invasions and politics. But as is the case with many tales of history, monetary policy is sidelined. I guess pondering the long term affects of lead poisoning from aqueducts is more stimulating.
After college I am now able to dictate my own education and I enjoy learning about the role of currency manipulation and inflation in the Roman Empire and considering parallels to the United States.
The Mises Institute provides Joseph Peden’s lecture on “Inflation and the Fall of the Roman Empire” for free. http://mises.org/daily/3663
The Cato Journal published an article by Bruce Bartlett titled, “How Excessive Government Killed Ancient Rome.” http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cjv14n2-7.html
And lastly, Ludwig von Mises discusses this topic in lecture six of his “Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow” http://mises.org/etexts/ecopol.asp#_Politics_and_Ideas