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, and LUCIUS TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS.