Thus the colonists learned some of the mysteries of public finance, as well as the management of rapacious officials.

The additional burden of a considerable foreign garrison and a crowd of rapacious officials increased the severity of the economic conditions.

It was said, that, if the serfs lost the protection of their owners, they might fall a prey to rapacious officials.

Rapacious officials robbed exiles of cash or extorted unlawful bribes or illegal fees.