A History of Tax Law, Section Four: Tax Law and The Colossus of Rhodes

W. Marc Gilfillan

W. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…

The city of Rhodes: a gateway to Rome and Greece. Any shipped goods from the east halted for restocking or to change cargo at Rhodes. The harbor of the island, similar to every other harbor, had a tax on all goods, two percent. Rhodes was prosperous and was fabulously wealthy in the banking and commerce industries especially. The businessmen funded the creation of a 100-foot-tall bronze statue of Apollo near the entrance to the harbor. It was deemed 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 Cary NC Accountant for all your tax-related needs!

Rhodes was fine until 225 BC. An earthquake toppled the colossus and not much more is known of Rhodes following the disaster. Did the earthquake wipe them out? Ruin the harbor? Well, here’s the rest 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 relying so much on Rome for so many years, Rome wanted more. They wished Rhodes to side with them and help with the war effort. Because of this, after the war, the Romans made their move. They established a tax-free port on the nearby Isle of Delos. There was no 2% harbor tax! In the first year since the port was created, trade declined 85% in Rhodes. Rhodes was finished. 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 actually rebuilt after the earthquake (however, they did not rebuild the statue). What brought Rhodes down was no earthquake or natural disaster or war or disease. It was Roman shrewd tax policy. 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 two percent 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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