Daily life · Roman Empire Daily
Emperor Vespasian taxed the collection of urine, and coined the phrase 'money doesn't stink.'
Deep dive
Stale urine was a valuable source of ammonia, used by launderers (fullers) to clean wool. When his son objected to a tax on it, Vespasian reportedly held up a coin and asked whether it smelled: 'pecunia non olet,' money doesn't stink.
Source: Suetonius, 'Lives of the Caesars,' Vespasian 23; Cassius Dio, 'Roman History,' 65.14.
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