History | Page 57

THE ROMAN COLLEGIA. 41 It will be convenient to consider I. The diversified form in wliicli the Collegia appear and III. Their according to the ancient writers ; II. Their general or common features character when disseminated throughout the empire. " " I. The Eoman were designated by the name either of collegium or corjms, becolleges : ; tween which there was no legal distinction, and corporations were as frequently described by one title as by the other. A classification of these bodies will the better enable us in our subsequent investigation to consider the features which they possessed in common. They may be grouped in four leading divisions : A. Religious bodies, such as the Colleges of Priests, and of the Vestal Virgins. B. Associations of official persons, such as those who were employed in administration e.g., the body of Scrilce} who were employed C. Corporations for trade members of and commerce, which had a common man worked although every D. Associations, called