Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/34

20 The rest of the private lands and the public lands of the town became in fact, as well as in law, Roman public domain. The noble clans of the town might be admitted to the Roman patriciate, or citizenship. In that case the common people remained the clients of their old patrons or became Roman plebeians. In other cases all the inhabitants might become only clients or plebeians at Rome.

Tarquin the Elder. — The Roman population was increased also by immigrants and exiles from other communities. All were received hospitably. According to tradition, Tarquin the elder emigrated from Etruria to Rome during the reign of the fourth king. Although he was an Etruscan, he rose quickly in influence and became the fifth king of Rome. Since the Roman subjects were constantly on the increase as compared with the citizens, he considered it desirable to require military service of them, in order to relieve the old citizens, strengthen the state, and increase the royal power.

The Younger Clans. — Tarquin did not change the number or the names of the tribes; but, probably with the consent of the popular assembly, he admitted into each tribe as many new clans as it contained of old, and made many new citizens senators. The new clans were called the younger (gentes minores) as contrasted with the old clans (gentes maiores), and the new members of the senate were named the senators of the younger clans (patres minorum gentium). The three tribes could now each furnish two centuries of horsemen in place of one, or six centuries in all. The new horsemen were designated the later, or second, of each century (Tities, Ramnes, Luceres posteriores or secundi), and the old members the former, or the first (Tities, Ramnes, Luceres priores or primi).