In ancient Rome, a tax was a compulsory contribution made by citizens or subjects to support the state. Taxes could be paid in money or goods, such as grain, livestock, or other commodities.
Roman taxes funded the military, public works, and administrative costs. Different forms of taxes included land taxes (tributum soli), poll taxes, and customs duties.
The census, held every five years, was crucial for assessing the tax obligations of Roman citizens. Augustus reformed the tax system to make it more efficient, using tax revenues to fund infrastructure projects like roads and aqueducts.
« Back to Glossary Index
