in Roman antiquity, a body of foot which consisted of different numbers at different periods of time. The word comes from the Latin legere, to choose; because, when the legions were raised, they made choice of such of their youth as were most proper to bear arms.

In the time of Romulus the legion consisted of 3000 foot and 300 horse; though, after the reception of the Sabines, it was augmented to 4000. In the war with Hannibal, it was raised to 5000, after this it sunk to 4000 or 4500; this was the number in the time of Polibius. The number of legions kept in pay together, differed according to times and occasions. During the consulart should be caught by surprise. The laws were carefully revised every year; and if any of them, from a change of circumstances, were found unsuitable or prejudicial, they were repealed: This was called ἀναγραφή τῶν νόμων, because the suffrages were given by holding up of hands. The first laws amongst the Grecians were unwritten and composed in verse, that the common people might with more ease commit them to memory. Solon penned his laws upon wooden tablets, called Αἰχών; and some authors with great probability assert that they were written in the manner called ἐπιγραφῆς, from left to right, and from right again to left, in the same manner as oxen walk the furrows in plowing, thus,

ΕΚ ΔΙΟΣ ΑΡ ΒΟΞΕΝΩΝ

It was against the law for any person to erase a decree; and certain persons, called Ἀρχαιολόγοι, were appointed to prevent any corruption; whose business it was also to transcribe the old and enter the new ones.

At Rome the people were in a great measure their own legislators; though Solon may be said, in some sense, to have been their legislator, as the decemviri, who were created for the making of laws, borrowed a great number from those of Solon. See Lex.

With us the legislative power is lodged in the king, lords, and commons assembled in parliament. See Law and Parliament.