DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5625#0323
290
Sicrvey of the Ancient World
Empire (§ 160). We shall find that the Roman Senate utterly
failed in the effort to organize the new dominions. Let us no*
examine the unsuccessful efforts of Rome to govern her new
conquests and then observe the disastrous effect of the lon£
wars and of such world power on the Romans and their life-
570. Estab-
lishment
of Roman
provinces;
unlimited
power and
corruption of
the Roman
provincial
governors
571. Loot-
ing of the
provinces
by Roman
business men
Section 59. Roman Government and Civilization
in the Age of Conquest
The Romans had at first no experience in governing their
conquered lands. Most of the newly conquered countries were
organized by them as provinces — each province under a
Roman governor. Such a governor possessed unlimited power
like that of an oriental king. He had complete control of a"
the taxes of the province, and' he could take what he needed
from its people to support his Roman troops and the expenses
of his government. He was generally without experience 1°
provincial government. He was eager to gain a fortune in hlS
short term of office, usually a single year, and in his complete
ignorance of the needs of his province his government often
became a mere system of looting and robbery. The Senate
soon found it necessary to have laws passed for the punish-
ment of such abuses; but these laws were found to be of little
use in improving the situation.
The evil effects of this situation were soon apparent. The
provinces were filled with Roman business men, whom we would
call " loan-sharks." There were contractors caW&d publicans, wh°
were allowed to collect the taxes for the State at a great profit'
We remember the common references to these publicans in the
New Testament, where they are regularly classified with " sin'
ners." These men of money plundered the provinces worse
than the greedy Roman governors themselves.
As these people returned to Italy, there grew up a wealthy
class such as had been unknown there before. Their ability to
buy resulted in a vast import trade to supply the demand.
Sicrvey of the Ancient World
Empire (§ 160). We shall find that the Roman Senate utterly
failed in the effort to organize the new dominions. Let us no*
examine the unsuccessful efforts of Rome to govern her new
conquests and then observe the disastrous effect of the lon£
wars and of such world power on the Romans and their life-
570. Estab-
lishment
of Roman
provinces;
unlimited
power and
corruption of
the Roman
provincial
governors
571. Loot-
ing of the
provinces
by Roman
business men
Section 59. Roman Government and Civilization
in the Age of Conquest
The Romans had at first no experience in governing their
conquered lands. Most of the newly conquered countries were
organized by them as provinces — each province under a
Roman governor. Such a governor possessed unlimited power
like that of an oriental king. He had complete control of a"
the taxes of the province, and' he could take what he needed
from its people to support his Roman troops and the expenses
of his government. He was generally without experience 1°
provincial government. He was eager to gain a fortune in hlS
short term of office, usually a single year, and in his complete
ignorance of the needs of his province his government often
became a mere system of looting and robbery. The Senate
soon found it necessary to have laws passed for the punish-
ment of such abuses; but these laws were found to be of little
use in improving the situation.
The evil effects of this situation were soon apparent. The
provinces were filled with Roman business men, whom we would
call " loan-sharks." There were contractors caW&d publicans, wh°
were allowed to collect the taxes for the State at a great profit'
We remember the common references to these publicans in the
New Testament, where they are regularly classified with " sin'
ners." These men of money plundered the provinces worse
than the greedy Roman governors themselves.
As these people returned to Italy, there grew up a wealthy
class such as had been unknown there before. Their ability to
buy resulted in a vast import trade to supply the demand.