Which ancient action is a notable example of targeted sanctions?

Which ancient action is a notable example of targeted sanctions?

• A. Rome prohibited buying or selling gold or silver to the Gauls
• B. Rome banned all Gaulish textiles
• C. Athens blocked Megarian merchants
• D. Carthage restricted gold to Phoenician traders

Answer: (A)

Targeted sanctions aim pressure on a specific group or asset rather than a blanket cut across an entire economy. Prohibiting the sale or purchase of gold and silver to the Gauls directly targets a defined group with a strategic resource, using a precise lever to influence them without declaring a broad embargo. That use of a particular commodity to influence a named group is a classic, clear example of a targeted sanction in ancient practice. The other actions involve sanctions against groups or merchants as a whole, or rely on broader restrictions, and while related, they don’t illustrate the same direct, resource-specific targeting as clearly.

Targeted sanctions aim pressure on a specific group or asset rather than a blanket cut across an entire economy. Prohibiting the sale or purchase of gold and silver to the Gauls directly targets a defined group with a strategic resource, using a precise lever to influence them without declaring a broad embargo. That use of a particular commodity to influence a named group is a classic, clear example of a targeted sanction in ancient practice. The other actions involve sanctions against groups or merchants as a whole, or rely on broader restrictions, and while related, they don’t illustrate the same direct, resource-specific targeting as clearly.