- published: 31 Jul 2015
- views: 1626
The solidus (the Latin word for solid) was originally a gold coin issued by the Romans, and a weight for gold more generally, corresponding to 4.5 grams.
The solidus was first introduced by Diocletian around 301 AD, struck at 60 to the Roman pound of pure gold (and thus weighing about 5.5 g each) and with an initial value equal to 1,000 denarii. However, Diocletian's solidus was struck only in small quantities, and thus had only minimal economic effect.
The solidus was reintroduced by Constantine I in 312 AD, permanently replacing the aureus as the gold coin of the Roman Empire. The solidus was struck at a rate of 72 to a Roman pound of pure gold, each coin weighing twenty-four Greco-Roman carats, or about 4.5 grams of gold per coin. By this time, the solidus was worth 275,000 increasingly debased denarii.
The solidus was maintained essentially unaltered in weight and purity until the 10th century, though in the Greek-speaking world during the Roman period and then in the Byzantine economy it was known as the nomisma (plural nomismata). Whenever the coin was taken in by the treasury, it was melted down and reissued. This maintained the evenness of the weight of the circulating solidi, since the coin did not tend to be in circulation long enough to become worn.
He stepped into the bar and looked around
Didn't like much what he saw and what he found
Too many faces with an attitude
Too many dudes that were do uncool
Y'hear what I'm saying, hombre
Yeah, you too, mister
Son of a bitch
Hey, you over there, with the scar on your face
I don't think you're part of the fucking human race
You're like something I goddamn stepped on before
And I'm the bad guy, come to settle the score
It ain't black it ain't white
I just come for the big fight
And I'm your worst nightmare
And I'm as deadly as a snake
Can't you see it in my eyes
And I'm packin' a few surprises
I'm the man with a thousand, with a thousand guns
I'm gonna do ya
Like a dead dog down
I'm gonna shoot ya
With a thousand guns
I'm so fast, my aim
Is true, here's looking at you
Right between the eyes
I'm so fast, took you by surprise
Got a Colt 45
I am the desperado
I'm the man with a thousand, with a thousand guns
I'm a killer on the loose
I shoot from the hip, no lip
Got a pair of blooded hounds
And they're straining for the kill
I am the judge and jury
I am the executioner