Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/108

94 terms of the alliance with the Latins and the Hernici. The Latin colonies, which were nominally federal, had been founded chiefly by Romans; and they increased the power of Rome rather than that of the league. Rome acquired the exclusive right to declare war against foreign states and to conclude treaties with them. The commander-in-chief was always a Roman; so were ordinarily the chief officers, even those of the federal contingents (praefecti sociorum). Nevertheless the league was required to furnish as many troops as the Romans for the wars, which were practically waged for the benefit of Rome.

Latin Rights. — The individual citizens within the league retained their old rights. They enjoyed full equality in regard to contracts and ownership (jus commercii), — for in- stance, in acquiring and disposing of real estate and in the making of wills. Perhaps they also possessed the right of intermarriage. Besides, wherever within the league a citi- zen of a federal town settled, he became under certain restric- tions a citizen; for example, an emigrant from Praeneste became a Roman citizen by settling in Rome. In later times he was also required to declare his intention of changing his residence. These originally reciprocal privi- leges were named Latin rights (jus Latii or Latium).

During this epoch (509-384 b.c.) the Latin communities, through Roman influence, abolished the monarchical and adopted the republican form of government.

Reorganization of the League. — The Latin league was proba- bly reorganized about 384, and its membership was fixed once for all. It consisted of thirty members competent to vote in the federal assembly, and seventeen others entitled to participate in the Latin festival (feriae Latinae). The members were in the main old Latin towns, but some were Latin colonies. Henceforth Latin communities