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In Ancient Rome, the ''curiales'' (from ''co + viria'', 'gathering of men') were initially the leading members of a gentes (clan) of the city of Rome. Their roles were both civil and sacred. Each gens curiales had a leader, called a ''curio.'' The whole arrangement of assemblies was presided over by the ''curio maximus''. The Roman civic form was replicated in the towns and cities of the empire as they came under Roman control. By the Late Empire, ''curiales'' referred to the merchants, businessmen, and mid-level landowners who served in their local ''curia'' as local magistrates and decurions. ''Curiales'' were expected to procure funds for public building projects, temples, festivities, games, and local welfare systems. They would often pay for these expenses out of their own pocket (undoubtedly mentioning their generosity) as a means to increase their personal prestige. The ''curiales'' were also responsible for the collection of Imperial taxes, provided food and board for the army, and supported the imperial post (''cursus publicus''). As the Empire declined and the economy floundered, membership among the curial class became financially ruinous to all but the most wealthy (who in many cases were able to purchase exemptions from their obligations). Because of this, many tried to escape by enrolling in positions that cancelled curial responsibilities, such as the army, the Imperial government, or the Church. The Emperor Julian tried to combat this development by increasing the size of curial councils, spreading the burden more evenly to make the position less costly. This attempt was not successful, and Julian himself died before he had time to see the policy through. Other efforts to remedy the situation failed as well, and the councils dwindled in importance through the Late Roman period. == External links == *http://www.livius.org/de-dh/decuriones/decuriones.html 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Curiales」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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