Curia

, a division of the Roman tribes. Romulus originally divided the people into three tribes, and each tribe into 10 Curiæ. Over each Curia was appointed a priest, who officiated at the sacrifices of his respective a embly. The sacrifices were called Curionia and the priest Curio . He was to be above the age of 50. His morals were to be pure and unexceptionable, and his body free from all defects. The Curiones were elected by their respective Curiæ, and above them was a superior priest called Curio maximus , chosen by all the Curiæ in a public a embly.――The word Curia was also applied to public edifices among the Romans. These were generally of two sorts, divine and civil. In the former were held the a emblies of the priests, and of every religious order, for the regulation of religious sacrifices and ceremonies. The other was appointed for the senate, where they a embled for the despatch of public busine . The Curia was solemnly consecrated by the Augurs, before a lawful a embly could be convened there. There were three at Rome, which more particularly claim our attention: Curia Hostilia , built by king Tullus Hostilius: Curia Pompeii , where Julius Cæsar was murdered; and Curia August i , the palace and court of the emperor August us.――A town of the Rhœti, now Coire , the capital of the Grisons.