Читать реферат по английскому: "Augustus Ceasar Essay Research Paper Two of" Страница 2

(Назад) (Cкачать работу)

acquired Egypt as his personal possession. All the wealth of Egypt went directly

to the imperial treasury. In turn, Augustus directly controlled the imperial

treasury. So, there was uniformity in the disbursement of funds. He also

created new taxes to boost the government’s income: a sales tax, an inheritance

tax that was mandatory for all Roman citizens, and a tax on the manumission of

slaves. Periodic censuses over the whole Empire were taken to obtain accurate

data for tax collection.

Augustus also aimed to stop the decline of Roman morals, a product of the

decadence caused by economic change, by enacting social reforms. The Lex Julia

de maritis ordinandis prohibited celibacy and childless marriages. It was made

compulsory for Roman citizens to get married. Special benefits, like tax breaks,

were established for couples with children. This law had the added advantage of

replacing the decimated Roman population that was lost during the numerous civil

wars. To handle the issue of adultery, which the Romans then practiced

extensively, Augustus enacted Lex Julia de adulteriis that made adultery a

punishable crime. He also passed laws that restricted luxury and extravagance.

In addition, Augustus placed special significance on the traditional religion of

Rome. He believed that prosperity and peace in the state relied on the faithful

fulfillment of religious duties to the gods. This traditional belief he expressed

by restoring temples and joining the sacred college of pontiffs and augurs, and he

eventually became pontifex maximus. Augustus became not only the secular head

of Roman Empire but the religious leader as well.

Похожие работы