Why is baptista so rich?

Baptista Minola, a character in Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," is depicted as wealthy due to his successful status as a merchant. His affluence allows him to provide for his daughters, particularly in the context of their marriages. The wealth also plays a significant role in societal dynamics, as it influences the prospects of suitors like Petruchio, who seeks to marry Baptista's daughter, Katherina, for her dowry.