Editing Curia (section)

===''Comitia curiata''===
{{Main|Curiate Assembly}}
The most important curiae at Rome were the 30 that together made up the comitia curiata. Traditionally ascribed to the kings, each of the three [[Roman tribes|tribes]] established by [[Romulus and Remus|Romulus]], the ''Ramnes, Tities'', and ''Luceres'', was divided into ten curiae. In theory, each ''[[gens]]'' (family, clan) belonged to a particular curia, although whether this was strictly observed throughout Roman history is uncertain.<ref name="OCD2"/><ref name="Harper's">''[[Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities|Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities]]'', Second Edition, [[Harry Thurston Peck]], Editor (1897)</ref>

Each curia had a distinct name, said to have been derived from the names of some of the [[The Rape of the Sabine Women|Sabine women]] abducted by the Romans in the time of Romulus. However, some of the curiae evidently derived their names from particular districts or eponymous heroes.<ref name="Harper's"/>  The curiae were probably established geographically, representing specific neighborhoods in Rome, for which reason ''curia'' is sometimes translated as '[[Ward (country subdivision)|ward]]'.<ref name="OCD2"/> Only a few of the names of the 30 curiae have been preserved, including ''Acculeia, Calabra, Faucia, Foriensis, Rapta, Veliensis, Tifata'', and ''Titia.''<ref>[[Marcus Terentius Varro]], ''De Lingua Latina libri XXV''.</ref><ref name="Harper's"/>

The assertion that the [[plebs|plebeians]] were not members of the curiae, or that only the dependents (''[[Patronage in ancient Rome|clientes]]'') of the [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patricians]] were admitted, and not entitled to vote, is expressly contradicted by [[Dionysius of Halicarnassus|Dionysius]].<ref>[[Dionysius of Halicarnassus]], ''Romaike Archaiologia'' iv. 12, 20.</ref> This argument is also refuted by [[Theodor Mommsen|Mommsen]].<ref>[[Theodor Mommsen|Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen]], ''Römische Forschungen''.</ref>

Each curia had its own ''[[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#sacra|sacra]]'', in which its members, known as ''curiales,'' worshipped the gods of the state and other deities specific to the curia, with their own rites and ceremonies.<ref>[[Sextus Pompeius Festus]], epitome of [[Marcus Verrius Flaccus]], ''De Verborum Significatu''.</ref> Each curia had a meeting site and place of worship, named after the curia.<ref name="OCD2"/> Originally, this may have been a simple altar, then a ''[[sacellum]]'', and finally a meeting house.<ref name="Harper's"/>

The curia was presided over by a ''curio'' ({{plural form}}: ''curiones''), who was always at least 50 years old, and was elected for life.<ref name="OCD2"/> The ''curio'' undertook the religious affairs of the curia. He was assisted by another priest, known as the ''flamen curialis''.<ref name="Harper's"/>  When the 30 curiae gathered to make up the ''comitia curiata'', they were presided over by a ''[[curio maximus]]'', who until 209 BC was always a patrician.<ref name="OCD2"/><ref name="Harper's"/> Originally, the ''curio maximus'' was probably elected by the ''curiones'', but in later times by the people themselves.<ref name="Harper's"/> Each curia was attended by one [[lictor]]; an assembly of the ''comitia curiata'' was attended by thirty lictors.<ref name="Harper's"/><ref>[[Cicero|Marcus Tullius Cicero]], ''De Lege Agraria contra Rullum''</ref>

The ''comitia curiata'' voted to confirm the election of magistrates by passing a law called the ''[[lex curiata de imperio]]''. It also witnessed the installation of priests, and adoptions, and the making of wills. The [[Pontifex Maximus]] may have presided over these ceremonies.<ref name="OCD2"/> The assembly probably possessed much greater authority before the establishment of the ''[[Comitia Centuriata|comitia centuriata]]'', which gradually assumed many of the curiate assembly's original functions.<ref name="OCD2"/>