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 still liable to all the taxes (ara), though deprived of the privileges of citizens.
The ararii were incapable of making a will, of inheriting, of voting in assemblies, or of enjoying any post of honour or profit; in effect, they 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 ararius was a punishment inflicted for some offence, and reputed one degree more severe than to be expelled a tribe, tribu moveri.
ÆRARIUS was likewise an officer instituted by Alexander Severus, for the distribution of the money given in largesses to the soldiery or people.
ÆRARIUS was also used for a person employed in coining or working brass. These are sometimes called ararii fusores. At other times, ararius is distinguished from fusor; the former answering to what we now call coppersmiths, the latter to founders.
ÆRARIUS was also applied to a soldier who receives pay. AERIA, or ÆRIA, in Ancient Geography, the ancient name of Egypt. The scholar on Apollonius Rhodius says, that not only Thessaly, but Egypt, was called Hepia by the Greeks, which Eusebius also confirms; and hence Apollinaris, in his translation of the 114th Psalm, uses it for Egypt. Hesychius applies this name to Ethiopia.