matinale alimenta

Alimenta

The alimenta was a Roman welfare program that existed from around 106 AD to 272 AD. It was introduced by emperor Trajan soon after the Dacian Wars. It helped orphans and poor children throughout Italy. It provided general funds, as well as food and subsidized education. The program was supported initially out of Dacian War booty, and then later by a combination of estate taxes and philanthropy. In general terms, the scheme functioned by means of mortgages on Italian farms (fundi), through which registered landowners received a lump sum from the imperial treasure, being in return expected to pay yearly a given proportion of the loan to the maintenance of an alimentary fund. The program was likely terminated by emperor Aurelian following his triumph.

see more »