Centumvĭri

, the members of a court of justice at Rome. They were originally chosen, three from the 35 tribes of the people, and though 105, they were always called Centumvirs. They were afterwards increased to the number of 180, and still kept their original name. The pretor sent to their tribunal causes of the greatest importance, as their knowledge of the law was extensive. They were generally summoned by the Decemviri, who seemed to be the chiefest among them; and they a embled in the Basilica, or public court, and had their tribunal distinguished by a spear with an iron head, whence a decree of their court was called Hastæ judicium : their sentences were very impartial, and without appeal. Cicero , On Oratory , bk. 1 , ch. 38 .— Quintilian , bks. 4, 5, & 11.— Pliny the Younger , bk. 6 , ltr. 33 .