Roman soldiers were paid with salt—given as a monthly allowance called a “salarium.” Salarium evolved into the word “salary.”

Roman soldiers were paid with salt instead of money. 

💵 This monthly allowance was called a “salarium” from the Latin word “sal” for salt. Over time, salarium evolved into the English word “salary.” 

Salt was valuable because it was essential for preserving and flavoring food like meat and fish.

Salt is harvested from both the earth and the sea. Left behind by ancient dried-up oceans, salt can be found in underground deposits and mines. Sea salt is harvested from seawater through evaporation.