The capite censi were the lowest social class of citizens in ancient Rome, defined by their lack of significant property. The term translates literally to those counted by head, reflecting the method used during the Roman census to record individuals who possessed little to no taxable wealth.
Initially, the term was synonymous with the proletarii, but later distinctions were drawn based on economic status. While the proletarii were eventually categorized as having property valued up to 11,000 asses, the capite censi remained at the bottom of the social hierarchy, owning virtually nothing. This status excluded them from traditional military service requirements that were tied to property ownership until the late Republican period.