By: cynthia curran

cynthia curran — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:34:42 +0000

Interesting study the economy of the late Roman Empire makes me believe that in the early Byzantine period some development of modern Capitalism was taking place centuries before Calvin and company. The Roman Empire had market forces but more slavery by the end even agricultural was turing more and more to hring workers thru wages. Also, interest was allowed more restrictly regulated than in the modern US but some poor peasants could become indebted. Calvin based the interest rate on those set in the Justinian Code. Actually, some law codes in medieval Byzantium allow for some higher interest rates. Granted, not as much as the market as some of us here want but more so than commonly shown by historians thruout the age. And Byzantium’s wealth really went down in the 7th century since Islam conquered Egypt the bread basket of the ancient world. No large building projects sinc the age of Justinian until 300 years later which proves this is a poorer period, the early middle ages.

By: Geo Michalopulos

Geo Michalopulos — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:04:20 +0000

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. If we Orthodox were smart, we’d realize that we are the ones who are going to be on the ascendant of this new religious 21st century. Fortunately for us, the Holy Spirit restrains us from our own worst impulses (the attempted coup against +Jonah, the underwhelmingness of the Episcopal Assembly, the intramural fighting in the run-up to the Great Council, etc.)

Comments on: The Limits of Secularism

By: cynthia curran

By: Geo Michalopulos