Publicani

Publicani were tax collectos in the provinces of Rome. They were usually representatives of a larger syndicate body that was responsible for collecting taxes in the provinces. They were developed during the aftermath of the 2nd Punic War as a means of developing the newfound conquered territory, largely in Spain.

These syndicates competed with one another, bidding up the price for certain contracts. They would then be given free reign to tax the provinces to pay for the building done there.

This usually to massive overtaxation, extortion, and abuse of the provinces. Both the governors and publicani were involved in abusing the power of taxation; '''governors saw provinces as food to feed Rome. '''(didn't seriously change until Trajan)

Senators were slow to prosecute governors and publicani, in part because they feared prosecution themselves should they ever reach their governorship (which was the means by which the massive debts they incurred running for offices up and down the cursus honorum were recouped), and also because the syndicates were very well connected in Roman politics.