FOEDĔRĀTAE CĪVĬTĀTES

FOEDĔRĀTI, SŎCĬI. In the seventh century of Rome these names expre ed those Italian states which were connected with Rome by a treaty ( foedus ). These names did not include Roman colonies or Latin colonies, or any place which had obtained the Roman civitas or citizenship. Among the foederati were the Latini , who were the most nearly related to the Romans, and were designated by this distinctive name; the rest of the foederati were comprised under the collective name of Socii or Foederati . They were independent states, yet under a general liability to furnish a contingent to the Roman army. Thus they contributed to increase the power of Rome, but they had not the privileges of Roman citizens. The discontent among the foederati, and their claims to be admitted to the privileges of Roman citizens, led to the Social War. The Julia Lex ( B.C. 90) gave the civitas to the Socii and Latini; and a lex of the following year contained, among other provisions, one for the admi ion to the Roman civitas of those peregrin i who were entered on the lists of the citizens of federate states, and who complied with the provisions of the lex. [ Civitas . ]