The principles of Latin grammar; comprising the ... - Essan.org

:S3 6APPENDIX.893.—When Romulus arranged the affairs of the new city, he appointeda council of 100 Patres from the Romans, and afterwards addedto them 100 more from the Sabines. Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king ofRome, added 100 more, called Patres minorum gentium, in relation towhom the former senators were called Patres majorum gentium, making300 in all. A great part of these were slain by Tarquin the proud ; andafter his expulsion, Brutus, the first consul, chose a number to supply theirplace, who were called Patres conscripti, because they were enrolled withthe other senators. This title was afterwards applied to all the senatorsin council assembled, and is supposed to be abbreviated for Patres et conscripti.894.—The sons of the Patres were called Patricii, or Patricians. Besidesthese distinctions among the Romans, there were also distinctions ofrank or party, as followsA T oblles, whose ancestors or themselves held any curule office, i. e. hadbeen Consul, Prwtor, Censor, or Curule uEdile.Ignobiles, who neither themselves, nor their ancestors, held any curuleoffice.Optimates, those who favored the senate.Populares, those who favored the people.IV. DIVISIONS OF THE ROMAN CIVIL OFFICERS.895.—At first Rome was governed by kings for the space of 244 years.The ordinary magistrates after that, till the end of the republic, were,1. Consuls, or chief magistrates, of whom there were two.2. Prwtors, or judges, also two in number, next in dignity to the consuls,3. Censors, who took charge of the census, and had a general supervisionof the morals of the people.4. Tribunes of the people, the special guardians of the people againstthe encroachments of the patricians, and who, by the word " Veto,"I forbid, could prevent the passage of any law.5. jEdiles, who took care of the city and had the inspection and regulationof its public buildings, temples, theatres, baths, &e.6. Qucestors, or Treasurers, who collected the public revenues.896. —Under the emperors there were added,1. Prosfectus Urbi, or Urbis, Governor of the city.2. Prazfectus Prcetorii, Commander of the body guards.3. Prarfectus Annon^e, whose duty it was to procure and distribute grainin times of scarcity.4. Prazfectus militaris cerarii, who had charge of the military fund.9. Prazfectus Classis, Admiral of the fleet.$. Prcefectus Vigilum, or captain of the watch.V. THE ROMAN ARMY.897.—The Romans were a nation of warriors. All within a certain*ge (17 to 45), were obliged to go forth to war at the call of their country.