Your Roman Census

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Census?
The Censum Agere is a count and registry of all Roman citizens and their property. The Roman census was first conducted by King Servius Tullius. After the overthrow of the monarchy, responsibility for taking a census passed to the consuls and later to a special magistracy, the censores.

How often is the Census performed?
The census is normally held at the beginning of each lustrum.

How will I be notified?
Once the auspices have been taken with a positive indication, the process of taking a census will begin. Citizens will be called to appear by a praeco, or cryer. Citizens will be called by their tribes to appear before the recording officials. The censors will preside, seated on their curule chairs. Names of good omen should expect to be called first (e.g., Valerius, Salvius, Statorius).

Where do I report?
Assemble in the Campus Martius and report to the Villa Publica when your tribe is called.

Who must report?
Each paterfamilias must appear to report for himself and his family. Single women and orphans will be represented by their tutores (legal guardians); their names will be entered in separate lists, and not included in the total number of citizens capita.

What questions will I be asked?
You will be asked for your full name (praenomen, nomen, and cognomen) and that of your father. Freedmen will give the name of their patrons, in place of a father. You will also be asked to state your age. You will then be asked to declare if you have a wife (Tu, ex animi tui sententia, uxorem habes?) If married, give the name of your wife. Also, provide the names and ages of your children, if any.

What other information will I need?
You must also give an account of all property subject to the census. You may elect to give your account censere by giving a value or estimate yourself or to have your declaration given censeri with the value or estimate made by the census officials.

How will my information be used?
The first use of the census is to make a count of all citizens capita. The censors then use the census declarations to make out lists of the tribes, classes, and centuries based on property qualifications according to the law of Servius Tullius. These lists are archived as part of the Tabulae Censoriae in the Atrium Libertatis or at the temple of the Nymphs.

Following the census, the censors will qualify those citizens elected to the Senate for the remainder of the lustrum or until the next census. The censors also confirm or appoint the princeps senatus. The class of equites equo publico will also be reviewed to include citizens meeting the property qualifications and to exclude those who no longer qualify.

Copies of financial information may also be deposited in the aerarium at the temple of Saturn for purposes of state. The quaestors may use the census records to establish a budget for state activities, and the number of citizens available for military service will be provided to the consuls. Publicani awarded state contracts for tax farming or the operation of state facilities are required to post property as security against the value of the contracts. Census records may be used to verify the value of properties pledged.

I am away on military service. Do I still have to report?
Yes. Unless the census is suspended by official action in wartime, all citizens are required to report. In certain cases, the censors will appoint commissioners to take census declarations from citizens in military service at their legion stations. Otherwise, arrange for a representative to make your census declaration on your behalf.†

What is the penalty for missing the Census?
Failure to register for the census is a serious offence. Citizens found to be incensus may be sold into slavery by the state.
Important: If you cannot report for the census, contact census officials or have a qualified representative appointed to report in your place.

Who may I contact for more information?
Contact the main Office of the Censors in the Atrium Libertatis.

† Recent rulings by the courts (advocatus Cicero: pro A. Licinio Archia) have held that military service can be a valid reason for absence from the census. However, no Senate action has confirmed this. Consult your legal advisor.