Argentarii

/ˌɑːrdʒənˈtɛəriaɪ/ noun

Definition

In ancient Rome, money changers or bankers who dealt in silver coins and currency exchange.

Etymology

From Latin 'argentum' (silver) with the plural '-arii' suffix meaning 'those who work with.' These were professional money dealers in Roman society, essential for commerce across the empire.

Kelly Says

The argentarii were basically the first bankers—they solved the problem of different regions having different silver coins by guaranteeing weight and purity, creating trust in an ancient economy.

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