He called the rich _assidui_, because they afforded pecuniary succor[320] to the State.

As to those whoso fortune did not exceed 1500 pence, or those who had nothing but their labor, he called them _proletarii_ classes, as if the State should expect from them a hardy progeny[321] and population.
Even a single one of the ninety-six last centuries contained numerically more citizens than the entire first class.

Thus, no one was excluded from his right of voting, yet the preponderance of votes was secured to those who had the deepest stake in the welfare of the State.
Moreover, with reference to the accensi, velati, trumpeters, hornblowers, proletarii[322] * * * XXIII.

* * * That that republic is arranged in the best manner which, being composed in due proportions of those three elements, the monarchical, the aristocratical, and the democratic, does not by punishment irritate a fierce and savage mind.

* * * [A similar institution prevailed at Carthage], which was sixty-five years more ancient than Rome, since it was founded thirty-nine years before the first Olympiad; and that most ancient law-giver Lycurgus made nearly the same arrangements.