The provinces provided a lot of the goods, trade, and agriculture that Rome's economy depended on to be sustainable. Because Rome had to keep its large number of citizens, soldiers, and slaves fed, agriculture "was the main occupation of a vast majority of the population" (EPNet, 2017). The economy heavily relied on the selling and trade of luxury goods (such as pottery and art), crops, and imports such as olive oil and wine.

While the provinces supplied goods to Rome, they also payed Rome taxes. Additionally, farmers who owed tax were able to pay their portion through the donation of extra crops. The surplus became a grain dole that the poorer citizens relied on for food. However, the more crops the farmers raised, the more taxes they