Fiscus
The emperor's private purse, as distinguished from the public treasury (
aerarium). It was instituted by Augustus, and was under the exclusive control of the
emperor. The chief sources from which it was replenished were the entire revenues of the
imperial provinces, the produce of unclaimed estates, and of confiscations. The main items of
fiscal expenditure were the army, the fleet, and war material, the salaries of officials, the
provision of corn for Rome, postal communication, and the public buildings. For the officials
who administered the fiscus, see
Procurator; see
also
Aerarium.