theimperial tax collectors to drink molten gold. Augustus reformed the provincialadministrative system by creating an imperial civil service whose memberscame from a pool of capable administrators that he hand-picked himself. Thesenew governors were given long terms of office in order to have ample time toimplement long-term reforms. In order to curb corruption, Augustus saw to itthat the governors were compensated fairly for their work. He rewarded thosewho did well and demoted those who did poorly. Collected taxes went directly tothe imperial treasury, and Augustus made sure that a certain portion of therevenues was allocated for the improvement of the provinces and not end up inthe pockets of corrupt tax collectors. Augustus overhauled the inefficient taxsystem by ordering a detailed census of all the provinces ( the same census thatforced Joseph and Mary to go to Bethlehem) to find out how many people shouldpay taxes. He also gave the provincial inhabitants the chance to voice theirgrievances and the certainty that their complaints were taken seriously by Rome. The constant civil wars during the late Roman Republic ruined the riches ofItaly and the provinces. The state found itself intermittently short of funds.The main financial problem facing Augustus was how to raise money for militarywages and pensions. This financial problem was partly solved when Augustusacquired Egypt as his personal possession. All the wealth of Egypt went directlyto the imperial treasury. In turn, Augustus directly controlled the imperialtreasury. So, there was uniformity in the disbursement of funds. He alsocreated new taxes to boost the government's income: a sales tax, an inheritancetax that was mandatory for all Roman citizens, and a tax on the manumission ofslaves. Periodic censuses over the whole Empire were taken to obtain accuratedata for tax collection. Augustus also aimed to stop the decline of Roman morals, a product o...
