Historiae Romanorum

Servian Classes

Servius Tullius, the sixth king of Rome, divided the people of Rome into seven classes, based upon the armor they could afford for military service:

Knights - the wealthiest of Romans; fought from horseback

First Class - heavy infantry equipped with a helmet, round shield, grieves and breastplate of bronze; carried sword and spear as weapons

Second Class - main infantry equipped with same armor as first class, except no breastplate

Third Class - light infantry; same equipment as second class, except no greaves

Fourth Class - skirmishers equipped with javelin

Fifth Class - skirmishers equipped with slings and stones

Sixth Class - exempt from military service.

Servius' system freed the poorest of Rome from military service, placing the burden upon the wealthier.  In return, Servius devised a system, in which the vote of the wealthy would count more that that of the poor.  When a vote was called, the Knights would vote first.  If no decision could be reached, then the first class would vote.  If not decision could still be reached, the second class would vote, etc.    In effect, only the wealthiest of men would typically vote upon any matter.

Source(s):

1. Livy.  Ab Urbe Condita.

This page was last updated on July 21, 2004.