as called the COMITIA CURIATA, i.e. an assembly
composed of the 30 curiae. This body alone had the power of changing the
existing laws; of declaring war or peace; and of confirming the election
of kings made by the senate. The voting in this assembly was taken by
each curia, and the majority of the curiae decided any question.

CHAPTER IV. THE EARLY GROWTH AND INTERNAL HISTORY OF ROME.

The position of Rome was superior to that of the other towns in the
Latin Confederacy. Situated on the Tiber, at the head of navigation, she
naturally became a commercial centre. Her citizens prospered and grew
wealthy, and wealth is power. Her hills were natural strongholds, easily
held against a foe. Thus we see that she soon became the most powerful
of the Latin cities, and when her interests conflicted with theirs,
she had no scruples about conquering any of them and annexing their
territory. Thus Alba was taken during the reign of Tullus Hostilius, and
his successor, Ancus Marcius, subdued several cities along the river,
and at its mouth founded a colony which was named OSTIA, the seaport of
Rome.

At this time (about 625) the Roman territory (_ager Romanus_) comprised
nearly 250 square miles, being irregular in shape, but lying mostly
along the southern bank of the Tiber and extending about ten or twelve
miles from the river. It was not materially increased during the next
two centuries.

The original founders of Rome and their direct descendants were called
PATRICIANS, i. e. belonging to the _Patres_, or Fathers of the families.
They formed a class distinct from all others, jealously protecting their
rights against outsiders. Attached to the Patricians was a class called
CLIENTS, who, though free, enjoyed no civil rights, i. e. they had
no voice in the government, but were bound to assist in every way the
Patrician, called PATRON, to whom they were attached. In return, the
latter gave them his support, and looked after their interests. These
clients corresponded somewhat to serfs, worked on the fields of their
patrons, and bore the name of the _gens_ to which their patron belonged.
Their origin is uncertain; but they may have come from foreign towns
conquered by the Latins, and whose inhabitants had not been made slaves.

In addition to the clients there were actual slaves, who were the
property of their masters, and could be bought or sold at pleasure.
Sometimes a slave was freed, and then he was called a LIBERTUS
(f