A History of Tax Law, Chapter Four: Tax Law and The Colossus of Rhodes
Posted by Tax Man - 22/11/09 at 04:11 pmW. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…
The isle of Rhodes: a seminal connection to Rome and Greece. Any shipping from the east halted for restocking or to change cargo at Rhodes. The harbor at Rhodes, similar to all other harbors, had a tax on all transaction, which was two percent. Rhodes prospered and flourished, in the banking and commerce industry especially. The wealthy heads of Rhodes 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 actually straddled the harbor entrance is unknown). If you are feeling the pressure with today’s taxes, call a Raleigh NC Accountant for all your tax-related needs!
Things were fine until 225 BC. An earthquake caused the colossus to fall and not very much is heard from Rhodes after that. Did the earthquake wipe them out? Ruin the harbor? Well, here’s the remainder of the tale. The Roman Senate was furious with Rhodes due to the fact that during the recent Rome-Macedonia War, Rhodes had declared neutrality. After taking so much from 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 established a tax-free port 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 ruined. Go here if you want help with modern-day Tax Preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll in Raleigh NC.
So, was it the earthquake that ruined Rhodes’ prosperity? The answer is no, Rhodes had since rebuilt after the disaster (however, they did not replace the colossus). What brought Rhodes down was no earthquake or natural disaster or war or famine. It was Roman taxes. Everything to dodge a two percent tax. The Switzerland of the ancient world, the commerce giant of the east was toppled 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.
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