the "aerarium militare" was part of an augustan fiscal initiative that was at first greeted with hostility. in 6 ad, augustus capitalized the pension fund with 170 million sesterces of his own money, along with voluntary contributions from client kings and cities. the amount was insufficient, and after soliciting proposals on revenue enhancement from senators, all of which he rejected, he finally forced through an inheritance tax of 5 percent "(vicesima hereditatium)". inheritances left to members of the deceased's immediate family were exempted, as were estates below a certain valuation.