A Woman Arrayed in Purple and Scarlet

How is it that the great city of Revelation chapter 18 accumulates the vast wealth described in this prophecy? She is said to be “that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones, and pearls (verse 16) for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”