The Romans taxed by auctioning off the right to collect taxes to the highest bidder . Then the tax collector  would tax enough to cover his cost and
make a profit .

These were the toll-takers , custom-takers for the Romans , and most of them were greedy grifters . They were hated by the people . They were called Publicans because they took up publica , the goods of the Empire .

Publicans are still here today collecting taxes but they like to be called by their new name , Republicans .