 The peasant would often be in debt to the "gabellotto" for the rent, tax and supplies and seeds for the planting season.The "gabellotto" eventually would overpower the landowner and by the mid-19th century would be the real power on the Sicilian countryside.The "gabellotto"’s role extended well beyond the boundaries of the estate covering the security needs in areas out of control of the state in central and western Sicily with his guards.