VANNUS (λικμός, λίκνον), a winnowing-van, _i.e._ a broad basket,
into which the corn mixed with chaff was received after thrashing,
and was then thrown in the direction of the wind. Virgil dignifies
this simple implement by calling it _mystica vannus Iacchi_. The
rites of Bacchus, as well as those of Ceres, having a continual
reference to the occupations of rural life, the vannus was borne in
the processions celebrated in honour of both these divinities. In the
cut annexed the infant Bacchus is carried in a vannus by two dancing
bacchantes clothed in skins.
[Illustration: Bacchus carried in a Vannus. (From an Antefixa in the
British Museum.)]
VAS (pl. _vasa_), a general term for any kind of vessel. Thus
we read of _vas vinarium_, _vas argenteum_, _vasa Corinthia et
Deliaca_, _vasa Samia_, that is, made of Samian earthenware, _vasa
Murrhina_. [MURRHINA VASA.] The word _vas_ was used in a still wider
signification, and was applied to any kind of utensil used in the
kitchen, agriculture, &c. The utensils of the soldiers were called
_vasa_, and hence _vasa colligere_ and _vasa conclamare_ signify to
pack up the baggage, to give the signal for departure.
VECTĪGĀLĬA, the general term for all the regular revenues of the
Roman state. It means anything which is brought (_vehitur_) into the
public treasury, like the Greek φόρος. The earliest regular income
of the state was in all probability the rent paid for the use of
the public land and pastures. This revenue was called _pascua_, a
name which was used as late as the time of Pliny, in the tables
or registers of the censors for all the revenues of the state in
general. The senate was the supreme authority in all matters of
finance, but as the state did not occupy itself with collecting
the taxes, duties, and tributes, the censors were entrusted with
the actual business. These officers, who in this respect may not
unjustly be compared to modern ministers of finance, used to let the
various branches of the revenue to the publicani for a fixed sum, and
for a certain number of years. [CENSOR; PUBLICANI.] As most of the
branches of the public revenues of Rome are treated of in separate
articles, it is only necessary to give a list of them here, and to
explain those which have not been treated of separately. 1. The
tithes paid to the state by those who occupied the ager publicus.
[DECUMAE; AGER PUBLICUS.] 2. The sums paid by those who kept their
cattle on the public pastures. [SCRIPTURA.] 3. The harbour duties
raised upon imported and exported commodities. [PORTORIUM.] 4. The
revenue derived from the salt-works. [SALINAE.] 5. The revenues
derived from the mines (_metalla_). This branch of the public revenue
cannot have been very productive until the Romans had become masters
of foreign countries. Until that time the mines of Italy appear to
have been worked, but this was forbidden by the senate after the
conquest of foreign lands. The mines of conquered countries were
treated like the salinae. 6. The hundredth part of the value of all
things which were sold (_centesima rerum venalium_). This tax was not
instituted at Rome until the time of the civil wars; the persons who
collected it were called _coactores_. Tiberius reduced this tax to a
two-hundredth (_ducentesima_), and Caligula abolished it for Italy
altogether, whence upon several coins of this emperor we read R. C.
C., that is, _Remissa Ducentesima_. Respecting the tax raised upon
the sale of slaves, see QUINQUAGESIMA. 7. The vicesima hereditatum
et manumissionum. [VICESIMA.] 8. The tribute imposed upon foreign
countries was by far the most important branch of the public revenue
during the time of Rome’s greatness. It was sometimes raised at
once, sometimes paid by instalments, and sometimes changed into a
poll-tax, which was in many cases regulated according to the census.
In regard to Cilicia and Syria we know that this tax amounted to one
per cent. of a person’s census, to which a tax upon houses and slaves
was added. In some cases the tribute was not paid according to the
census, but consisted in a land-tax. 9. A tax upon bachelors. [AES
UXORIUM.] 10. A door-tax. [OSTIARIUM.] 11. The _octavae_. In the
time of Caesar all liberti living in Italy, and possessing property
of 200 sestertia, and above it, had to pay a tax consisting of the
eighth part of their property.--It would be interesting to ascertain
the amount of income which Rome at various periods derived from these
and other sources; but our want of information renders it impossible.
We have only the general statement, that previously to the time of
Pompey the annual revenue amounted to fifty millions of drachmas, and
that it was increased by him to eighty-five millions.