Talking Tax Cross-Border Tax Evasion Is an Old Story, Roman Scroll Reveals
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Aug 20, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Roman historian Anna Dolganov from the Austrian Academy of Sciences reveals intriguing insights from a recently translated scroll detailing ancient tax evasion tactics. She uncovers a sophisticated scheme involving forgery and manipulation of slave ownership aimed at dodging taxes in Roman provinces. The conversation highlights the parallels between historical and modern evasion methods and the severe punishments faced by tax evaders in that era. Dolganov also shares the ongoing research ambitions that could shed more light on this fascinating topic.
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Rediscovered Misfiled Papyrus
- Researchers rediscovered a misfiled Greek papyrus in a Judean Desert archive after 70 years unopened.
- Anna Dolganov joined a team to decipher the compact prosecutorial cheat-sheet for a Roman courtroom.
Lawyers' Cheat-Sheet Becomes Court Transcript
- The document is a preparatory brief by two lawyers anticipating defense arguments and contains a live courtroom transcript.
- It even records a slave being tortured because Roman law required duress-extracted slave testimony.
Cross-Border Fake Sales Scheme
- Saulos arranged on-paper sales of slaves to friends across the provincial border while keeping physical possession.
- The scheme relied on provincial administrations not routinely cross-checking records across borders.