Editing Servius Tullius (section)

====Curiate reform and census====
Until the Servian reforms, the passing of laws and judgment was the prerogative of the ''[[comitia curiata]]'' (curiate assembly), made up from thirty [[curia]]e; Roman sources describe ten curiae for each of three aristocratic [[Roman tribe|tribes]] or clans, each supposedly based on one of Rome's central hills, and claiming [[Patrician (ancient Rome)|patrician]] status by virtue of their descent from Rome's founding families. These tribes comprised approximately 200 ''[[gens|gentes]]'' (clans), each of which contributed one senator ("elder") to the Senate. The senate advised the king, devised laws in his name, and was held to represent the entire [[SPQR|''populus Romanus'' (Roman people)]]; but it could only debate and discuss. Its decisions had no force unless approved by the ''comitia curiata''. By the time of Servius, if not long before, the tribes of the ''comitia'' were a minority of the population, ruling a multitude who had no effective voice in their own government.<ref>Cornell, pp. 115–118.</ref>

Rome's far more populous citizen-commoners could participate in this assembly in limited fashion, and perhaps offer their opinions on decisions but only the ''comitia curiata'' could vote. A minority thus exercised power and control over the majority. Roman tradition held that Servius formed a [[comitia centuriata]] of commoners to displace the ''comitia curiata'' as Rome's central legislative body. This required his development of the first Roman [[census]], making Servius the first [[Roman censor]].<ref>Census derives from Latin ''censere'', "to judge" or "to estimate".</ref> For the purposes of the census, citizens assembled by tribe in the [[Campus Martius]] to register their social rank, household, property and income. This established an individual's tax obligations, his ability to muster arms for military service when required to do so, and his assignment to a particular voting bloc.

The institution of the census and the ''comitia centuriata'' are speculated as Servius' attempt to erode the civil and military power of the Roman aristocracy, and seek the direct support of his newly enfranchised citizenry in civil matters; if necessary, under arms.<ref>Cornell, pp. 194–197.</ref> The ''comitia curiata'' continued to function through the Regal and Republican eras, but the Servian reform had reduced its powers to those of a largely symbolic "upper house"; its noble members were expected to do no more than ratify decisions of the ''comitia centuriata''.<ref>Cornell, p. 25.</ref>