Classis (English spelling)

Japanese: クラシス（英語表記）classis

In ancient Rome, this referred to the entire citizen militia, and also to the ranks of citizens. The latter is historically more important, as during the Republic, citizens were ranked into five classes (5 classis) based on wealth, and infantry equipment was required according to the class. Wealthy citizens above the class were made to serve in the cavalry, while citizens below the class were exempt from equipment. Due to the connection between wealth and military service, later classis members (classiki) came to refer to propertied citizens, and classis referred to the citizen militia. Classis is also known as the origin of the modern words class (English) and Klasse (German), both of which mean "class."

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

古代ローマで市民軍総体，また市民の等級をいう。歴史上重要なのは後者で，財産基準により市民を5等級(5クラシス)に格付け，等級別に歩兵装備を課し，基準以上の富裕市民は騎兵勤務につかせ，基準以下の市民は装備免除とする制度が共和政期に行われた。財産と軍務の関連から後にクラシス所属者(クラシキ)が有産市民，クラシスは市民軍をさした。クラシスは〈階級〉を意味する近代語のclass(英語)，Klasse(ドイツ語)などの語源となったことでも知られる。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Ignacy Krasicki

>>: Storage fee - Kurashikiryo