The Dawn of Taxation
Around 3000 B.C.E., during the First Dynasty, Egypt introduced the world’s earliest known taxation system. The state levied taxes on goods, like grain and textiles, to fund building projects and wars. Taxes were adjusted based on field productivity, using Nile flood levels as a measure.
Tax Collection and Control
Tax collection methods evolved from community-based dues in the Old Kingdom to individual assessments by the Middle Kingdom. Pharaohs undertook annual tours, known as the Shemsu Hor, to oversee tax collection personally, ensuring provincial governors accurately reported their wealth.
Fraud and Evasion
Tax fraud and evasion were common; citizens manipulated grain scales or bribed officials. Pharaoh Horemheb even issued decrees to punish such offenses by cutting off noses or exile, highlighting the tension between citizens and state control.
Tax Exemptions and Political Moves
Tax exemptions were used strategically to gain favor, as seen in the Rosetta Stone decree, where Ptolemy V exempted temples from taxes to secure priestly support, reflecting the political use of taxation throughout Egypt’s history.
Taxes? Thank the Ancient Egyptians for That 💰
The Dawn of Taxation
Around 3000 B.C.E., during the First Dynasty, Egypt introduced the world’s earliest known taxation system. The state levied taxes on goods, like grain and textiles, to fund building projects and wars. Taxes were… pic.twitter.com/Q2reWtXgfZ— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) September 2, 2024