History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume 1 - Chapter VI Part 4

In which the troublesome reign of Alexander Severus is marked by the insubordination of the troops and the emperor’s valiant but ultimately inadequate efforts to restore discipline and order amidst military tumult. An examination of imperial revenues follows, revealing the profound transformation of Roman taxation under Augustus and Caracalla, whereby the empire’s wealth and burdens were increasingly centralised and oppressive, foreshadowing the growing estrangement between Rome’s refined citizens and its martial frontiersmen.