In Ancient Rome, the curial class (curiales from co + viria,'gathering of men') referred to the merchants, businessmen, and medium-sized landowners who served in their local Curia as local magistrates and Decurions.
In Ancient Rome, the curiales (from co + viria,'gathering of men') were initially the leading members of a gentes (clan) of the city of Rome. By the Late Empire Period, curiales referred to the merchants, businessmen, and medium-sized landowners who served in their local Curia as local magistrates and Decurions.