All the magistrates of sufficient importance to find a place in the general state of the empire, were accurately divided into three classes. 1. The _Illustrious_. 2. The _Spectabiles_, or _Respectable_. And, 3. the _Clarissimi;_ whom we may translate by the word _Honorable_. In the times of Roman simplicity, the last-mentioned epithet was used only as a vague expression of deference, till it became at length the peculiar and appropriated title of all who were members of the senate, 77 and consequently of all who, from that venerable body, were selected to govern the provinces. The vanity of those who, from their rank and office, might claim a superior distinction above the rest of the senatorial order, was long afterwards indulged with the new appellation of _Respectable;_ but the title of _Illustrious_ was always reserved to some eminent personages who were obeyed or reverenced by the two subordinate classes. It was communicated only, I. To the consuls and patricians; II. To the Prætorian præfects, with the præfects of Rome and Constantinople; III. To the masters-general of the cavalry and the infantry; and IV. To the seven ministers of the palace, who exercised their _sacred_ functions about the person of the emperor. 78 Among those illustrious magistrates who were esteemed coordinate with each other, the seniority of appointment gave place to the union of dignities. 79 By the expedient of honorary codicils, the emperors, who were fond of multiplying their favors, might sometimes gratify the vanity, though not the ambition, of impatient courtiers. 80 77 (return) [ In the Pandects, which may be referred to the reigns of the Antonines, Clarissimus is the ordinary and legal title of a senator.] 78 (return) [ Pancirol. p. 12-17. I have not taken any notice of the two inferior ranks, _Prefectissimus_ and _Egregius_, which were given to many persons who were not raised to the senatorial dignity.] 79 (return) [ Cod. Theodos. l. vi. tit. vi. The rules of precedency are ascertained with the most minute accuracy by the emperors, and illustrated with equal prolixity by their learned interpreter.] 80 (return) [ Cod. Theodos. l. vi. tit. xxii.]