Mansa Musa was the ruler of the wealthy Mali Empire from 1312 to 1337 CE. During his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, Mansa Musa's extensive wealth and generous spending had significant economic impacts across North Africa and the Mediterranean. He used some of his wealth to build the Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu, cementing his legacy as one of the richest individuals in history according to accounts from the Catalan Atlas created in 1375.

1. Mansa Musa
1280-1337

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Mansa Musa (1280-1337)

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Mali Empire, 1350

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Mansa Musa’s Wealth

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Mansa Musa’s Reign
Sankore Mosque, Timbuktu

6. Was Mansa Musa the richest
person ever?
Central Historical Question

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Document B: The Catalan Atlas, 1375

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The Catalan Atlas
“This Black lord is called Musa Mali, Lord of the Black people of Mali.
So abundant is the gold which is found in his country that he is the
richest and most noble king in all the land.”—Catalan Atlas inscription