ANNONA

In Roman writers, means, in a general sense, the year's increase, or the fruits of the year; and it also means the contribution or tax payable in corn, imposed on some of the more fertile provinces of the empire, as Sicily, Egypt, ., for the use of the army and of the capital. The poorer cla of citizens were entitled to a share of this tribute; and their habitual dependence on it v/as not only a fruitful source of idlene , but of all sorts of disorder. To grant an increased allowance of corn was one of the surest methods by which to attain popular favour. ■ Summa favor it Annona momenta trahil. Namqiie a erit urbes Sola fames, emiturque mefus, cum segne potentes Vulgus alunt. Nescit plebes jejuna timere. The office of Praefect us Annonae was of great importance at Rome, and was generally, indeed, exercised by the emperors. (See, for further particulars, Contarenus, De He Frumentaria, pa im.) [s. 67]