a front of 1000 heavy-armed soldiers; to which were
attached 2400 “unarmed".(10) The four first
ranks of the phalanx, the -classis-, were formed by
the fully-armed hoplites of those possessing a full
hide; in the fifth and sixth were placed the less
completely equipped farmers of the second and third
division; the two last divisions were annexed as rear
ranks to the phalanx or fought by its side as light-armed
troops. Provision was made for readily supplying
the accidental gaps which were so injurious to the
phalanx. Thus there served in it 84 centuries
or 8400 men, of whom 6000 were hoplites, 4000 of the
first division, 1000 from each of the two following,
and 2400 light-armed, of whom 1000 belonged to the
fourth, and 1200 to the fifth division; approximately
each levy-district furnished to the phalanx 2100,
and to each century 25 men. This phalanx was
the army destined for the field, while a like force
of troops was reckoned for the seniors who remained
behind to defend the city. In this way the normal
amount of the infantry came to 16,800 men, 80 centuries
of the first division, 20 from each of the three following,
and 28 from the last division—not taking
into account the two centuries of substitutes or those
of the workmen or the musicians. To all these
fell to be added the cavalry, which consisted of 1800
horse; often when the army took the field, however,
only the third part of the whole number was attached
to it. The normal amount of the Roman army of
the first and second levy rose accordingly to close
upon 20,000 men: which number must beyond doubt
have corresponded on the whole to the effective strength
of the Roman population capable of arms, as it stood
at the time when this new organization was introduced.
As the population increased the number of centuries
was not augmented, but the several divisions were strengthened
by persons added, without altogether losing sight,
however, of the fundamental number. Indeed the
Roman corporations in general, closed as to numbers,
very frequently evaded the limit imposed upon them
by admitting supernumerary members.
Census
This new organization of the army was accompanied
by a more careful supervision of landed property on
the part of the state. It was now either ordained
for the first time or, if not, at any rate defined
more carefully, that a land-register should be established,
in which the several proprietors of land should have
their fields with all their appurtenances, servitudes,
slaves, beasts of draught and of burden, duly recorded.
Every act of alienation, which did not take place
publicly and before witnesses, was declared null;
and a revision of the register of landed property,
which was at the same time the levy-roll, was directed
to be made every fourth year. The -mancipatio-
and the -census- thus arose out of the Servian military
organization.
Political Effects of the Servian Military Organization