You know, in ancient times salt was of high value to the Greeks, Romans and other peoples. Greek slave traders often traded salt for slaves. Roman soldiers were paid "salt money," (SALARIUM ARGENTUM,) from which we take the English word, "salary." Furthermore, the word "salad" comes from the world "salt" because the Romans would salt their green leaves.
If you wanted to eat in winter, you needed salt. If you wanted to sail the oceans, you needed salt to salt your meat. Before we invented refrigerators and freezers, and before we invented the canning process, some foods like meat and fish had to be dried and packed in salt to prevent them from spoiling. Additionally, salt was used in curing leather and making soap.
pull down to refresh
related posts
Did people really used to get paid in salt?
Yes, salt in ancient Rome was used as currency to buy food, clothes and even to pay soldiers
Was salt the first known money? I think some stones were money before salt, right? Or am I wrong?