Cosa pensavano di denaro e ricchezza gli italiani nel Rinascimento? In quest’opera pubblicata per la prima volta nel 1940, Gino Barbieri traccia l’evoluzione della mentalità economica italiana attraverso l’analisi degli scritti di teologi, uomini di legge e di commercio. Dall’analisi emergono stupefacenti somiglianze tra l’uso dei mezzi finanziari di allora e quelli odierni, che rendono particolarmente attuale la ripubblicazione del saggio. Decline and Economic Ideals in Italy in the Early Modern Age (1940) is certainly the most important work of Gino Barbieri, who developed it from his graduation thesis. It is the result of five years of studies, and an example of deep economic insight, as it investigates the writings of theologians, men of law and of business, to disclose the Italian outlook on money and wealth in the XVIth century. Among the many reasons for its new release is the capacity to tackle fundamental current issues, such as the pivotal role of finance as a way to make profit in the Renaissance, surprisingly similar to our days. The original Italian version is published alongside this new English translation, as a way to encourage the international public to better know an important part of Italian historiography.