ÆRARIUS, a name given by the Romans to a degraded citizen, who had been struck off the list of his century. Such persons were so called, because they were liable to all the taxes (æra), without enjoying any of its privileges.
The ærorii were incapable of making a will, of inheriting, of voting in assemblies, of enjoying any post of honour or profit; in effect, were only subject to the burdens, without the benefits of society; yet they retained their freedom, and were not reduced to the condition of slaves. To be made an ærarius was a punishment inflicted for some offence, and reputed one degree more severe than to be expelled a tribe, tribu moveri.