Western Civilization I / Unit 13 WC1 1203 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Double-Entry, Commenda, Bills of Exchange: Business Rationalized
Captions available
The idea
Italians learned from the Arab world double-entry bookkeeping, the commenda, a risk-sharing partnership, agents, bills of exchange and credit, and Arabic numerals over Roman. Business became rational, and Italy sat at the center of Europe's trade with the Middle East.
In practice
Try multiplying in Roman numerals, the anchor's example.
Where people slip
Technique came east to west. The exam may ask the direction.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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