A tax on urine was imposed in Ancient Rome

Ancient Romans imposed a tax on urine, as they valued urine for its ammonia content, and found that it could be used to clean clothes and for whitening teeth. Emperor Vespasian taxed the sale of urine that was gathered at public restrooms to raise revenue. Reportedly, when his son Titus expressed disgust at the tax, he responded 'money doesn't stink'.

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