[German version]

Alimenta were special monetary allowances established in the 1st cent. AD for the benefit of Roman children in Italian towns. For this purpose usually the principes, but in some cases very rich private benefactors, established alimenta foundations. The financing system was complicated: the principes lent their private money to local landowners, who paid interest to their town, so that the latter could finance the monetary allowances. The alimenta have been explained as a financing aid for agriculture but also as a subsidy for families with childr…