As
part of one of my archaeology subjects I just read an article which attempted reconstructions of the finances of
Augustus, Pliny the younger (as a representative of the senatorial class) and hypothetical
members of Romes other social classes. It
had Pliny earning around 32,000,000
sestertii over the course of
his life and expenditures of around 25,000,000
sestertii. I'm sure I don't need to point out the perils of such reconstructions but it was quite an interesting article:
Storey, GR, 2000, “Cui Bono? An economic cost-benefit analysis of statuses in the Roman Empire”, Hierarchies in Action: Cui Bono?, MW Diehl (ed), Center for Archaeological Investigations, Carbondale, pp 340-374.
Augustus' lifetime revenue was estimated at 2,632,000,000
sestertii and expediture of 2,520,800,000
sestertii.
LordBest.