Thales, the philosopher who became rich
Thales was a successful businessman who managed to accumulate a great fortune. How did he do it? Thales of Miletus was one of the first philosophers and mathematicians in history. He is considered the founder of the Ionian school of philosophy, which sought to explain the origin and nature of the universe through rational and natural principles. Thales, the philosopher who became rich But in addition to his intellectual contributions, Thales was also a successful businessman who managed to accumulate a great fortune. How did he do it? Press monopoly According to tradition, Thales predicted a solar eclipse that occurred in the year 585 BC, which gave him fame and prestige among his contemporaries. Taking advantage of his reputation, Thales decided to prove that philosophers could be rich if they wanted to. To do this, he used his astronomical knowledge to anticipate a good harvest of olives in the following year. So he rented out all the oil presses available in and around Miletus, payi...