“Rome, as a result of diminished tax receipts (which it had caused) discovered that they could no longer pay the mercenary soldiers that they were using as tax collectors. They cut the soldiers wages repeatedly which, of course, the soldiers were not happy about. Whether officially or unofficially, the soldiers were advised that they might make up for the shortfall by exacting further payment from taxpayers on their own behalf.

This, not surprisingly, led eventually to looting, destruction and rape, etc. by the soldiers. Each time their wages were cut, the usury increased.”

…

“Invariably, those who are the first to leave are the first to begin improving their lives.”