DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4372#0258
242
dia, appear to have been fanned to Greeks and Romans contrary
to the system adopted with regard to the tax on land.
These duties were payable on the coast of the Red Sea, at
Canopus, and at Alexandria. At this latter place, the persons
by whom they were farmed had so many opportunities of granting
a temporary relief to the necessitous, in advancing money for
them, that the vexations they could afterwards practise upon
their debtors form the subject of one of the heads of Justinian's
edict: and it was in consideration of the profits enjoyed by the
same persons, that they were liable to the expenses of the trans-
port of grain from their port to the capital.
The corporation of Alexandria were released by the same em-
peror from the repairs of the canal which brought them water
from the Nile, and they were allowed four hundred solidi out of
a fund called Dinummium Vectigal, which by the explanation
which follows * appears to refer to the duties levied upon the
ships frequenting the harbour, and it was natural that those
should pay a full portion of the expenses which procured them
this necessary supply. Besides taxes upon the industry, the
trades and houses of its inhabitants, Alexandria was from time
to time subjected to a contribution under the name of coronation
money. This abuse had arisen out of the custom, once so lauda-
ble and useful, of presenting in the name of the provinces, crowns
of gold to proconsuls or other commanders, who had acted ho-
nourably and liberally during their governments. This gradually
became so general, that those who were not thus honoured, con-
sidered themselves as insulted; and under the emperors it was
soon converted from an honour into a means of raising money.
In addition to the amount demanded from each, grievous in
* Cod. Just. 1. xi.tit.3S.'
-Ita ut ex titulo naviutn modis omnibus recensetur.
itself
dia, appear to have been fanned to Greeks and Romans contrary
to the system adopted with regard to the tax on land.
These duties were payable on the coast of the Red Sea, at
Canopus, and at Alexandria. At this latter place, the persons
by whom they were farmed had so many opportunities of granting
a temporary relief to the necessitous, in advancing money for
them, that the vexations they could afterwards practise upon
their debtors form the subject of one of the heads of Justinian's
edict: and it was in consideration of the profits enjoyed by the
same persons, that they were liable to the expenses of the trans-
port of grain from their port to the capital.
The corporation of Alexandria were released by the same em-
peror from the repairs of the canal which brought them water
from the Nile, and they were allowed four hundred solidi out of
a fund called Dinummium Vectigal, which by the explanation
which follows * appears to refer to the duties levied upon the
ships frequenting the harbour, and it was natural that those
should pay a full portion of the expenses which procured them
this necessary supply. Besides taxes upon the industry, the
trades and houses of its inhabitants, Alexandria was from time
to time subjected to a contribution under the name of coronation
money. This abuse had arisen out of the custom, once so lauda-
ble and useful, of presenting in the name of the provinces, crowns
of gold to proconsuls or other commanders, who had acted ho-
nourably and liberally during their governments. This gradually
became so general, that those who were not thus honoured, con-
sidered themselves as insulted; and under the emperors it was
soon converted from an honour into a means of raising money.
In addition to the amount demanded from each, grievous in
* Cod. Just. 1. xi.tit.3S.'
-Ita ut ex titulo naviutn modis omnibus recensetur.
itself