Question

Based on what we know, Mansa Musa was the richest person ever because...

a) He controlled a vast empire with abundant resources.
b) He made significant investments in gold and salt trade.
c) His pilgrimage to Mecca showcased his immense wealth.
d) He had a vast collection of priceless artifacts.

Answer 1

Mansa Musa was considered the richest person ever because he controlled a vast empire, made significant investments in trade, and showcased his immense wealth during his pilgrimage to Mecca.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mansa Musa was considered the richest person ever due to a combination of factors:

1. He controlled a vast empire with abundant resources: Mansa Musa expanded the Mali Empire to three times its original size and conquered numerous cities, which provided him with access to valuable resources.
2. He made significant investments in gold and salt trade: The trade in gold and salt brought immense wealth to the emperors of Mali, including Mansa Musa. He had large amounts of gold, which he distributed generously during his pilgrimage to Mecca.
3. His pilgrimage to Mecca showcased his immense wealth: Mansa Musa's procession during his hajj to Mecca in 1324 was a display of his wealth. He had a large retinue of soldiers, slaves, and animals carrying gold bars, and he gave out gold nuggets and gold dust along the way.

In addition to these factors, Mansa Musa also had a vast collection of priceless artifacts and was known for his patronage of scholarship and learning.

Answer 2

Mansa Musa was the richest person ever because he controlled the Mali Empire, enriched by the trans-Saharan trade, and demonstrated his wealth through his lavish spending during his pilgrimage to Mecca, which impacted economies like Cairo's for years.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mansa Musa is known as the richest person ever primarily because he controlled a vast empire that included crucial trade routes for gold and salt. During his reign from 1307-1337, he expanded the Mali Empire to its greatest size, which significantly increased his wealth due to tributes paid in gold and other valuable commodities. Mansa Musa's wealth was so immense that during his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-25, he famously distributed gold so lavishly that it caused inflation in Cairo for twelve years. This story of his generosity was documented by chroniclers like al-Umari and noted in various historical sources. Furthermore, Mansa Musa invested in his empire's infrastructure and culture, rebuilding the city of Timbuktu into a center of learning and showcasing his wealth and power through the creation of architectural artifacts and monuments.