The Rise and Fall of Vespasian

Vespasian's actions were nothing short of a political and fiscal revolution. He doubled the tax burden in the provinces, but he also engaged in some pretty unseemly business practices that stood as the only real blemish on his record. The emperor would let loose corrupt tax collectors and look the other way as they extorted the population to their own financial advantage. His crowning achievement though was his plan for the remains of Nero's golden palace.