or SEPTA, in ancient Rome, a place in the Campus Martius, at first raised in like a sheep-pen, whence its name. Afterwards it was mounted with marble, and beautified with walks and galleries, as also with a tribunal, or seat of justice. Within this precinct or inclosure, the people were called to give their suffrages for the election of magistrates. The ascent into the ovilia was not by stairs, but by pontes, or narrow boards, laid there for the occasion; on which account de ponte dejici, signified "to be deprived of the privilege of voting;" and persons thus dealt with were called deportanti.