CU´RIO
CU´RIO the person who stood at the head of a curia,
and had to manage its affairs, especially those of a religious nature (
Dionys. A. R. 2.7,
65; Varro,
de L. L. 5.15,
32, 6.6): in their administration he was assisted by another priest, called
Flamen curialis. (Paul. Diac. p. 64;
Dionys. A.
R. 2.21,
64.) As there were
thirty curiae, the number of curiones was likewise thirty, and they formed a
college of priests, which was headed by one of them bearing the title of
curio maximus (Paul. Diac. p. 126;
Liv. 27.8). In later times he was elected by the
people, but originally probably by co-optation.
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