Final answer:
Tax collectors in ancient Rome, known as publicani, were responsible for upholding tax laws and collecting taxes from provincial residents. They would bid for the right to collect taxes and make a payment to the government, collecting taxes from residents and keeping any excess money. The publicani system was later abolished, and a revised tax structure was implemented, which included wealth-based and poll taxes. Tax collection was crucial for the Roman government to fund public programs and conduct business.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient Rome, tax collectors, known as publicani, played a crucial role in upholding the tax law and collecting taxes from provincial residents. These tax collectors would initially bid for the right to collect taxes and make a payment to the government, which would serve as a loan. They would then collect taxes from the residents and keep any excess money from their original bid, plus a percentage paid by the Roman government.
During the reign of Augustus, the publicani system was abolished, and a revised tax structure was implemented. Provincials had to pay approximately 1 percent tax on their wealth, which included assets like land, as well as a flat poll tax. This new system was assessed through census lists and administered by imperial officials called procurators.
Collecting taxes was vital for the Roman government to conduct business and fund public programs. Taxes were categorized into census-based taxes, import and customs taxes, and taxes targeted at specific groups and communities.