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fiscus
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Quick Facts
Latin:
ā€œbasketā€,
Also called:
Purse
Related Topics:
ancient Rome
aerarium
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fiscus

ancient Roman treasury
Also known as: purse
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

fiscus, the Roman emperorā€™s treasury (where money was stored in baskets), as opposed to the public treasury (aerarium). It drew money primarily from revenues of the imperial provinces, forfeited property, and the produce of unclaimed lands.

Vespasian created the fiscus Alexandrinus and fiscus Asiaticus to receive Egyptian and Asian revenues, formerly directed to the aerarium. The fiscus thereafter became independent of the aerarium and controlled most of the income of the empire. The fiscus supplied funds for the army and fleet, official salaries, and postal subsidies.