Publicani
Also known as: tax-collector · tax farmer · publicans · publicani
The publicani were public contractors in the Roman Republic and Empire.
Connections2
targeted him for his efforts to limit their provincial exploitation
Rutilius Rufus's strict administration in Asia protected provincials from the predatory tax-collecting practices of the publicani, leading them to orchestrate his downfall.
primary economic role of the equestrian order
The equites were the primary class involved in tax farming and state contracting, which allowed them to amass significant wealth outside of the senatorial land-owning tradition.