* Bome thus became the most powerfhl and compact state that then
existed. The nations retained their own administrations, laws, lan-
guages, and dialects, but Bome was thehr central point, and they were
gradually to rub off what was foreign to, and irreconcilable with, that
centre.' — N.
Cl^ange m tfie fUtt^ots of filltng up Vacanciti in t^t
denate^ ntCtS Crani^ttton point in ^t 3&oman Consltittu
tton from an Srtsltocracp of SlootI to one of QEBialt^.
* A short time before the beginning of the first Punic war, a change
was made which affected the character of the senate. Originally there
had been two qunstors, but their number was doubled, and from b.c. 268,
it was increased to eight. He who had been questor had the right
9eiUen0iam dicendi in senattn, and the censors were obliged to make him
s senator as soon as a vacancy occurred. Thus the election of new
membras of the senate was no longer left to the discretion of the censors,
and as the qutestors were elected by the people, the senate may be said
at this time to have consisted of wealthy people nominated by the
people ; for none but wealthy people could hope to obtain any of the
higher magistracies — ^wealth having now acquired the influence which
fcnrmerly belonged to birth only.' — N, and S.
The Mamertines of Messana, (' Oscan mercenaries, a
horde of adventurers and plunderers who were the common
enemies of mankind/) apply for aid firom Bome against the
Carthaginians and king Hiero.
