CENSOR

In Ancient History, the title of two Roman magistrates originally created for the purpose of taking the census, or register of the number and property of citizens. But their powers were much increased subsequently, when they had the inspection of the morals of the citizens committed to them, with authority to degrade senalors and knights from their respective orders, and remove other citizens from their tribes, depriving them of all their privileges except liberty; which was termed making them jErarians. They had also the power of making contracts sacrifices. for public buildings and the supply of victims for The office of censor was not a permanent one, but was renewed from time to time, as its functions were felt to be needed in the state. It was always filled by consulars of the highest merit, and was esteemed an honour even greater than that of the consulate itself; no person migh be twice invested with it; and if one of the censors died, another was not substituted in his room, but his surviving colleague was obliged to resign. The office of censor was abolished under the emperors, who, however, exercised the greater part of its functions. It was attempted to be revived in the person of Valerian by Decius, but he was cut ofT before he could accomplish his purpose. [s. 220]