the state of unmarried persons. Scaliger derives the word from the Greek καρπός, bed, and καρπός, lingo, I leave; others say it is formed from καρπός, beatitude, that is, the blessedness of heaven.

The ancient Romans used all means imaginable to discourage celibacy. Nothing was more usual than for the censors to impose a fine on bachelors. Dionysius Halicarnassus mentions an ancient constitution by which all persons of mature age were obliged to marry. But the first law of that kind of which we have any certainty is that under Augustus, called lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus. It was afterwards denominated Papia Poppaea, and more usually Julia Poppia, in regard of some new sanctions and amendments made to it under the consuls Papius and Poppa. By this law various prerogatives were given to persons who had many children; while penalties were imposed on those who lived a single life, such as being declared incapable of receiving legacies exceeding a certain amount or proportion.