service, and ten in reserve. The fifth class had
thirty centuries of soldiers, and five of mechanics, musicians, etc.

The first four ranks of the troops were made up of the infantry from
the first class. All were armed with a leather helmet, round shield,
breastplate, greaves (leg-pieces), spear, and sword. The fifth rank was
composed of the second class, who were armed like the first, without
breastplate. The sixth rank was composed of the third class, who had
neither breastplate nor greaves. Behind these came the fourth class,
armed with spears and darts, and the fifth class, having only slings.

Each soldier of the infantry paid for his own equipments; the cavalry,
however, received from the state a horse, and food to keep it.

This new organization of both patricians and plebeians was originally
only for military purposes,--that the army might be increased, and the
expenses of keeping it more equitably divided among all the people. But
gradually, as the influence of the wealthy plebeians began to be felt,
the organization was found well adapted for political purposes, and
all the people were called together to vote under it. It was called the
COMITIA CENTURIATA, i.e. an assembly of centuries. The place of meeting
was on the CAMPUS MARTIUS, a plain outside of the city.

In this assembly each century had one vote, and its vote was decided by
the majority of its individual voters. The tendency of this system was
to give the wealthy the whole power; for since each century represented
the same amount of property, the centuries in the upper or richer
classes were much smaller than those in the lower or poorer classes, so
that a majority of the centuries might represent a small minority of
the people. The majority of the wealthy people at Rome were still
patricians, so the assembly was virtually controlled by them. In this
assembly magistrates were elected, laws made, war declared, and judgment
passed in all criminal cases.

(Illustration: CAMPANIA)

CHAPTER V. THE DYNASTY OF THE TARQUINS.

Of the seven traditional kings of Rome, the last three were undoubtedly
of Etruscan origin, and their reigns left in the city many traces of
Etruscan influence. The Etruscans were great builders, and the only
buildings of importance that Rome possessed, until a much later period,
were erected under this dynasty. The names of these kings are said to
have been LUCIUS TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, SERVIUS TULLIUS, his son-in-law,
an