Titus Flavius Sabinus

Titus Flavius Sabinus was a son of Titus Flavius Petron who was a professional banker or “argentarius”. It is known that he ran a business in Rieti at the time of Caesar and the triumvirate.

However, Flavius Sabin did not continue his father’s footsteps and instead he began his career as a tax collector in Asia. The term “publicum agree” testifies that he could perform a high position in the hierarchy of the company for tax collection. The cities in Asia allegedly erected statues to him with the oxymoronic inscription “to an honest tax-farmer”.

Sabinus expanded his business affairs to borrowing money with interest among the Helvets in Switzerland, taking advantage probably of the growing wealth of the Gallic provinces.

Although it is not known whether he was a member of the knight class or not, it is known that he married Vespasia Polla, who was a member of that class. His business must have been successful since his sons managed to enter the equestrian order, and after then even in senatorial. Sabinus is also remembered in history as father of the future emperor Vespasian.