Chrysargyron

   A detested tax abolished in 498 by Anastasios I (q.v.) as part of his financial reforms. The loss to the treasury was made up by revenues from imperial estates, recently increased by the confiscation of property from Zeno and other Isaurians (qq.v.). In the fifth century, the tax was paid in gold and silver every four years by those doing business transactions (which included merchants, tradesmen, even beggars and prostitutes). The abolition of the tax was greeted with rejoicing in cities throughout the empire. It is not clear if Anastasios I introduced another tax, the chrysoteleia (q.v.) to replace the chrysargyron.