Fiscus
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
In Roman Law. The treasury of the prince _ or emperor, as distinguished from "aerarium,," which was the treasury of the state.
Spelman; Plin. Pand. 86; Tacit, vi.
2; Calv. Lex. The treasury or property of the state, as distinguished from the private property of the sovereign.
Dig. 49. 14; 1 Mackeld. Civ. Law, 149, § 144.
In English Law. The king's treasury, as the repository of forfeited property. Bracton, fol.
150.
The treasury of a noble, or of any private person.
Spelman.
The use of the word in the sense of a treasury is derived from its primary meaning, a wicker basket or hamper in which money was kept by the Romans.
Burrill.