Gresham College Lectures How Women Made the Global Economy - Dr Victoria Bateman
6 snips
Mar 6, 2026 Dr Victoria Bateman, an economic historian and author, rescues overlooked women who shaped economies from prehistory to modern times. She recounts female hunters, textile-based currencies, merchant entrepreneurs like Khadija, engineers and early programmers, and links women’s economic roles to the rise and fall of civilizations. Short, provocative stories challenge the male-focused economic narrative.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Khadija Merchant Who Funded Early Islam
- Khadija, a 6th-century Meccan merchant, ran a trading caravan across Arabia and beyond and later funded Muhammad, helping early Islam expand via trade.
- Her merchant example helped make trade a revered vehicle for spreading Islam.
Shajarat Al-Durr Ruler Who Defied Gender Limits
- Shajarat al-Durr rose from slave to rule Egypt, minted coins in her name, defeated Crusaders and negotiated large ransoms to boost the treasury.
- The Abbasid caliph in Baghdad refused to accept female rule, illustrating political backlash against women.
Silk Bolts Served As Silk Road Money
- Silk and bolts of cloth served as currency on the Silk Road, priced and taxed in kind, anchoring Sino-global trade.
- The Chinese state collected silk taxes which it used for diplomacy, military purchases, and international exchange.
