|
|
Post by Imperium Romanum (Orientalis) on Jun 3, 2016 11:49:53 GMT
A census of Syria is to be undertaken by the local governor. While of course the provincial incomes will be better understood, the chief aim is actually the documentation of waste, or underutilised, land suitable for clearance a settlement.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2016 15:27:46 GMT
The census results are very positive, and reveal that Syria remains one of the richest provinces of empire, with Antioch alone boasting a population of 200,000 citizens, many of whom owned slaves. The wealth of the city and its region is so great that the city streets are lit at night as brightly as in day, so that the business of the city seldom rests.
Trade with the Sassanid Persians has also boomed lately, with the prolonged period of peace starting to pay off in the form of easier transit between east and west.
Arable and pastoral farmland seems to be working very efficiently, with even marginal land being exploited to support a large population. The province's total production surplus is estimated at 7,500 Aurei, of which less than half is currently utilised as taxation. The censors suggest that provincial taxation should be set at 5,000 Aurei, and that a further 1,000 Aurei can be extracted through more effective taxation of resident foreigners, who are very abundant in trading centres and in Antioch (where there are many thousands of Jews, Georgians, Armenians and Arabs). Smaller landowners may be forced to sell up or change their practices, but those of senatorial rank are likely to be able to shoulder the increased burden.
More hard-nosed tax officials suggest that up to 7,000 Aurei could be extracted by an Emperor with the will to do so, though it would decimate the local nobility and cause a good degree of unpopularity. The official that suggested this high level of taxation would rebuke, however: "You don't need to be popular with the taxpayers so long as you pay your soldiers."
Provincial Wealth: 15,000 Aurei
Peasant and Slave Sustenance 7,500 Aurei
Surplus 7,500 Aurei
Suggested Taxation Level: 6,000 Aurei (incl. 1,000 Aurei of trade-related revenues)
Current Taxation Level: ~2,000 Aurei
Highest Feasible Taxation Level: 8,000 Aurei (incl. 1,000 Aurei of trade-related revenues)
Note: Taxation can be demanded far higher than this, but will likely cause shortages, famine and unrest.
|
|
|
|
Post by Imperium Romanum (Orientalis) on Jun 8, 2016 22:46:57 GMT
The Regent expresses his pleasure in the governorship of Syria. The taxes will be raised to 4000 aurei, additionally, loop-holes on foreigners are to by tightened to extract a further 1000.
|
|
