W. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…
The island of Rhodes: a gateway to Rome and Greece. Any shipped goods from the east halted for supplies or to change cargo at Rhodes. The harbor at the island, like every other harbor, had a tax on all goods – 2%. Rhodes was prosperous and flourished, in the banking and commerce industries especially. The businessmen funded the creation of a hundred-foot-tall bronze colossus of Apollo near the entrance to the harbor. It named as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world (whether it really straddled the harbor entrance is unknown). If you’re feeling the pressure with today’s taxes, call a Cary NC CPA for all your tax-related needs!
Rhodes was fine until 225 BC. An earthquake toppled the statue and not much more is known of Rhodes after that. Did the earthquake wipe them out? Decimate the harbor? Well, this is the rest of the story. The Roman Senate was furious with Rhodes due to the fact that during the recent Rome-Macedonia War, Rhodes had declared a neutral state. After relying so much on Rome for so many years, Rome expected more. They wished Rhodes to side with them and help with the war effort. So, after the war, the Romans made their course of action. They created a tax-free harbor on the nearby Isle of Delos. There was no two percent harbor tax! In the first year since the port was created, trade declined 85% in Rhodes. Rhodes was in ruin. Go here if you want help with modern-day Tax Preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll in Cary NC.
Did the earthquake do it? The answer is no, Rhodes had since rebuilt after the earthquake (although they didn’t replace the colossus). What brought Rhodes down was no earthquake or natural disaster or war or famine. It was Roman taxation practices. All to avoid a two percent tax. The Switzerland of the ancient world, the commercial giant of the east was brought down because people wanted to avoid a 2% tax.
Keep an eye out for W. Marc Gilfillan’s next chapter in his History of Taxes series: Roman Taxes.
http://www.marccpa.com/
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