“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.”

― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

 

The Roman world is less technologically advanced than than the typical medieval milieu, but its trade, industry, and commerce are better organized and its urban population density is higher. While some types of gear, such as late medieval ships or plate armor, are totally unavailable, most items are very easy to acquire. Thanks to well-organized trade routes, wealthy Romans can order exotic equipment from distant parts of the world and stand a good chance of getting it at a reasonable price.

Money
As a civilized nation, Rome had a monetary economy. In fact, the word "money" comes from the temple of Juno Moneta, where the Roman mint was located. The values of Roman coins varied over time, but the main currency of the later Republic and early Empire consisted of the following denominations:

• As: A large copper coin (plural asses). A day's wage for a semi-skilled laborer was five to ten asses.
• Sestertius: A small brass coin (plural sestertii), worth ten asses. Abbreviated St.
• Denarius: A silverpiece (plural denarii), worth ten sestertii or 100 asses. Abbreviated Dn.
• Aureus: A gold coin (aurei), usually worth ten denarii, 100 sestertii, or 1,000 asses. It was for use bv the state, not individuals. Abbreviated Au.
• Spintria (plural spintriae) isn’t currency per se, but rather, brothel tokens. The obverse depicts how many sestertii the token is worth. The reverse depicts a sexual act. These tokens show the truly international nature of the Roman Empire. A Roman legionary can buy a token in Palmyra and exchange it with a prostitute in Eboracum for exactly what’s depicted on the reverse.

Coin Type	Equivalent
Aureus	5 gp
Denarius	1 gp
Sestertius	1 sp
As	1 cp

Armor
Food and Lodging
Gear
Harness and Transport
Living Expenses
Luxury Items
Slaves
Tools
Trade Goods
Weapons

 

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