[ 2 99 ] 
performed pages et comp it a circum *. As to the 
title magijier , it always denotes fome prehemincnce 
and authority, and is ufed in a variety of fenfes, as 
majier is with us. So Fefius fais : Magijtri non 
folum do ft ores art turn ; fed etiam pagorum i j'oeie- 
tatum> 'uicorum , collcgiorum, e quit urn dicuntur $ quia 
omnes .hi magis ceteris pojfunt Of theic 
magijier pagi was a vfery antient officer -among 
the Romans, appointed by Numa ft* ompilim\ the 
immediate fucceffor of Romulus , as we 'learn from 
ftdiony jius of HaUcarnajfus. 11 For Numa (as he 
“ fais ) firft divided the whole country into fuch 
“ portions, as they call ^ r<xyvn over each of which 
“ he appointed an officer, whom he calls do^ovTa., 
ic e7rtax.o7rov , and TrtfiroXov) that is, a prefident or 
“ majier, infpe&or, and furveyor. His bufinefs was 
“ to furvey the lands, and take an account in wri- 
“ ting, whether they were well or ill cultivated j 
“ which accounts he laid before the king ; who 
u commended thofe husbandmen, who had been 
<f diligent, and tieated them courteoufly ; but re- 
“ proved and fined the indolent, in order to excite 
„ them to greater diligence V’ The Roman territories 
at that time were confincd.within very narrow bounds; 
but in after ages, as they inlarged their dominions by 
conquefts, many of the countries, which they fubdued, 
were given to the foldiers, as a reward for their fervice. 
And as a certain quantity of land was alloted to each 
foldier, the diftribution was made by perfonsfent with 
them for that purpofe ; and thofe fettlements,or colo- 
x Georg. Lib. ii. 582. 
7 In voc. Magifterare. 
z Ami Rom. Lib. ii. cap>.j 6 . 
ales. 
