Alimenta

Statue of Trajan in front of the Amphitheater of Colonia Ulpia Traiana in the Xanten Archaeological Park

The alimenta was a Roman welfare program that existed from around 98 AD to 272 AD. It was probably introduced by Nerva and was later expanded by Trajan. It was designed to subsidise orphans and poor children throughout Italy, but nowhere else, with a cash income, food and subsidized education. The program was an Imperial gift, supported during Trajan's reign by booty from his Dacian wars and estate taxes on landowners.[1] Landowners who registered to contribute received a lump sum from the imperial treasury as a loan, and were expected to repay a given proportion annually, as their contribution to a charitable fund.[2] The program was likely terminated by emperor Aurelian.[3]

  1. ^ "Alimenta". Tjbuggey.ancients.info. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  2. ^ John Rich, Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, eds., City and Country in the Ancient World. London: Routledge, 2003, ISBN 0-203-41870-0, page 158
  3. ^ Southern, Pat, The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine (2004), pg. 123.