SummerSimo Travel Troubles Notes and The Purring Page

Major taxes in ancient Rome included: 1. Law: Property tax on land and wealth. 2. Portoria: Import and export tariffs. 3. Vicesima hereditatium: 5% inheritance tax. 4. Fiscus Judaicus: A tax paid to the Jews after the destruction of Jerusalem. 5. Centesima rerum venalium: 1% tax on goods sold at auction. 6. Annona: Food tax is especially important in the provinces. These taxes helped finance the military, infrastructure and budget of the Roman state. A more detailed description of all the important taxes in ancient Rome and their changes over time can be found here: 1. Rules: – Description: A tax is a tax instrument for landowners and tax collectors. . Historically, it was taxed to fund military operations in times of emergency or war. – ** Change **: Over time, as Rome expanded and prospered, expectations for gifts diminished. During the late republic and early empire, this revenue was replaced by other revenues, especially from the provinces. 2. *Portoria*: – *Description*: These are tariffs on goods imported and exported from Roman territory. These taxes are collected at various points of the market and ports. – ** Change **: Portoria is more developed in the Empire and contributes to the state’s income. Prices may vary depending on product and region. 3. *Vicesima hereditatium*: – *Description*: Introduced by Emperor Augustus in AD 6, this is a 5% inheritance tax levied on estates left to non-kin family members. – *Variable*: This tax provides a large amount of revenue to the state and remains constant throughout the country, with changes in rates and exemptions from time to time. 4. *Fiscus Judaicus*: – *Description*: After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Roman Emperor Vespasian collected taxes from Jews in the Ottoman Empire, ostensibly for the Temple of Jupiter in Rome. – *Amendment*: This tax was originally set at two dinars per year, was strictly enforced, and was often considered a penalty. It developed into a general financial instrument contributing to the imperial treasury. 444 5. *Centesima rerum venalium*: – *Description*: This is a 1% sales tax on goods sold during the Augustan period. – *Conversion*: The centesima was one of many taxes that Augustus introduced as part of his economic reforms to create a more efficient and effective economy. It has remained constant but is part of a larger sales tax that has evolved over time. 6. *Annona*: – *Description*: Annona is a tax imposed on countries such as Egypt and North Africa, where grain was especially important to Rome. – *Change*: The Annona system becomes the way of Imperial law, particularly with the expansion of state-controlled food supply called “cura annonae”. This system kept the food of the city of Rome stable and important for public health management and support. These taxes were part of a complex and evolving financial system that adapted to the needs of the Roman state and financed its major military, strategic projects, and administrative systems.