were five "Classes" of them. The several classes were divided into 193
subdivisions called "Centuries," each century representing the same
amount of property. In the first class there were forty centuries in
active service, composed of men under forty-six, forty centuries of
reserve, and eighteen centuries of cavalry.

In the second, third, and fourth classes there were twenty centuries
each, ten in active 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 CENTURIÁTA, i.e. an assembly of centuries. The
place of meeting was on the CAMPUS MARTIUS, a plain outside of the