The Ligures Baebiani slab

The bronze slab records the institution of the alimenta, promoted by the Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117), a welfare program destinated to poor children throughout Italy. The inscription comes from a settlement of Ligurians in Samnium who had been forcibly deported centuries before. This provision aimed to increase the population; it drew its funds from the interests raised from mortgages received by the land-owners. 2nd century AD