The book "The Triumph of Money" by Niall Ferguson discusses the influential figures in European history who contributed to the decline of the old aristocracy. Among these figures, Rothschild is compared to Richelieu and Robespierre, suggesting he plays a significant role in reshaping the social landscape of Europe. Richelieu eliminated the traditional power of the aristocracy, while Robespierre symbolically executed the remnants of its decadence.

Rothschild's emergence signifies a transformation in the social elite of Europe, as he embodies the rise of a new financial aristocracy. This shift highlights the evolving power dynamics and the gradual dismantling of the established aristocratic order, establishing financial capital as a new source of influence and authority in society.