In the preparation of the volume, I have been generously aided by my colleagues in Columbia University. To Professor William M. Sloane, Head of the Department of History, I owe a great debt of gratitude for kindly sympathy and encouragement in the work. It is an especial good fortune that the proofs have been read by Professor James C. Egbert. Many improvements are due to his scholarship and editorial experience. Professor George N. Olcott has advised me on various numismatic matters, and I am indebted to Dr. John L. Gerig for information on two or three etymologies. The proofs have also been read and corrections made by Dr. Richard R. Blews of Cornell University. It is a pleasure to remember gratefully these able friends who have helped me with their special knowledge, and to add the name of Mr. Frederic W. Erb of the Columbia University Library, whose courtesy has facilitated the borrowing of books for the study from other institutions. Notwithstanding every effort to make the work accurate, mistakes and inconsistencies will doubtless be found in it, and I shall thankfully welcome suggestions from any reader for its further correction and improvement. GEORGE WILLIS BOTSFORD. MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, June 7, 1909. CONTENTS PAGES PART I ELEMENTS OF THE COMITIAL CONSTITUTION 1-118 CHAPTER I THE POPULUS AND ITS EARLIEST POLITICAL DIVISIONS 1-15 CHAPTER II THE SOCIAL COMPOSITION OF THE PRIMITIVE POPULUS 16-47 CHAPTER III THE THIRTY-FIVE TRIBES 48-65 CHAPTER IV THE CENTURIES AND THE CLASSES 66-99 CHAPTER V THE AUSPICES 100-118 PART II THE ASSEMBLIES: ORGANIZATION, PROCEDURE, AND FUNCTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, STATUTES, AND CASES 119-477 CHAPTER VI COMITIA AND CONCILIUM 119-138 CHAPTER VII THE CONTIO 139-151 CHAPTER VIII THE CALATA COMITIA 152-167 CHAPTER IX THE COMITIA CURIATA 168-200 CHAPTER X THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COMITIA CENTURIATA 201-228 CHAPTER XI THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COMITIA CENTURIATA 229-261