Currency values and etc.

[satalexton]

How much would a mnai during EB's time frame worth in equivilant to say...in US dollars? =/

And how much could 1 mnai get you?

Say, if i'm a reasonably well off (a nice estate, some slaves and workers tilling it for me, being able to provide myself gear for wars as a pezhetairoi...) citizen of Makedonia, and I'd like to buy some silk from Sinae, would that cost me an arm and a leg?

[Maion Maroneios]

According to a previous post with the same question, a mina is worth 450gr (or 15.8732 ounces) of silver. If you take in mind that currently the value of silver is 11.24$ per ounce, then you get that 1mnai is equivalent to about 212.135 modern US dollars.

EDIT: Just for the fun of it, if you play a bit with numbers you'll find out that (according to Thoukydides) a standard Athenian hoplite was paid 1 drachme per day, or 2.121$ per day (with modern standards and taking into mind that a drachme is 100 times less worth than a mina). So don't go saying modern money sucks, or try working as a soldier for 2$ per day

Maion

[Ibn-Khaldun]

So don't go saying modern money sucks, or try working as a soldier for 2$ per day

There are places in modern world where 2$ a day is a lot of money.

[Hax]

Have you also taken in mind natural inflation?

[Watchman]

Plus if we're talking about the citizen-hoplites here that's not so much a wage as a compensation for the "day work" they're not doing while under arms.

[Maion Maroneios]

There are places in modern world where 2$ a day is a lot of money.

Well, I was joking you know. I know there are people in this world, that sadly enough work with an even less daily wage.

Have you also taken in mind natural inflation?

I think you mean plain inflation. Natural inflation has to do with Physics. And nope, as it's quite difficult (corrected this part, got to sharpen my wits from now). I just have taken account of how much silver is worth in modern US dollars.

Plus if we're talking about the citizen-hoplites here that's not so much a wage as a compensation for the "day work" they're not doing while under arms.

Well, in any case Thoukydides states they where paid 1 drachme per day. If that was a fixed salary or just an extra as a compensation, as you stated, I do not know.

Maion