Unusual tax – Roman emperor Vespasian

In an effort to economically empower the Roman state and return to her the former glory, Roman emperor Vespasian (9-79) introduced a tax on everything that came to his mind.

Among many things, the citizens of Rome had to pay tax even for using public urinals.

When Vespasian's son Titus objected his father's decision on this kind of tax, considering it unworthy for any man, Vespasian grabbed a handful of coins, brought them under his son’s nose and uttered the famous phrase: "No olet" ("They don’t stink!")

 

 

In remembrance of this tax, public toilets in France are even today called "Vespasiennes”.

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War of Goddesses!

Angry because Themistocles demanded of them to pay taxes, allies of Athens once refused to do so. Themistocles was furious and sent envoys on the island of his allies in order to deliver them a threatening message.

Two powerful goddesses, the goddess of power, and the goddess of persuasion, will force the allies to comply and pay the tax to Athens - threatened the Athenian statesman.

Islanders, however, answered with the same measure.

We are unable to pay - the people answered to Themistocles. Two goddesses that are more powerful do not allow us: the goddess of the poverty and the goddess of despair.

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