ancient Roman society was characterized by duality.This is especially evident in the basic classes: patricians and plebeians.If the first had almost nothing, the latter has all the rights and authority.
Social classes of ancient Rome
ancient Roman society was characterized by a strict hierarchy.The population was divided into free-born citizens who did not have civil rights, and slaves.
The biggest difference was between the patricians and plebeians.Almost the entire history of ancient Rome - it's a never-ending feud between these two classes.
Who are the patricians?First of all, the ruling class in Rome.But, moreover, this word has several meanings.
Roman patricians: the origin
interesting translation of the word "patricians" - it means "father", as derived from the Latin pater (father).This is due to the fact that the patricians lived under the laws of strict patriarchy, where the inheritance is only through the male line.In ancient Rome, the father had absolute power over the household, and no one had the right to challenge its decisions.A family member he could be punished in any way, sold into slavery or even kill.
According to tradition, Rome was 300 patrician birth.Each member of the family had a single family name.The Romans were among the aristocracy, were three names.The first was personal, in Rome they use a small amount.Second - this is just a generic name.And the third - the so-called family.For example, Gaius Julius Caesar.Julius - a generic name of an ancient patrician clans.
Patricia - it is also the very first population of Rome.In ancient times the tribes Latins, Sabines and Etruscans were the first full-fledged citizens of this city.Over time they have become a privileged class, and were called patricians.This word has become synonymous with "the aristocracy.Patricians were the largest landowners in the country.
functions and responsibilities of the privileged class
Patricia - it's not just the ruling class, but also high-ranking officials of ancient Rome.Initially, they could only be elected to the Senate and to hold positions of priests.Carrying out religious rites and ceremonies, too, was the exclusive right of the patricians.Of these military leaders and elected judges.Much later, when the number of patrician birth significantly decreased, the rulers of Rome had to give the opportunity to participate in the management of the Empire and the representatives of the lower class.
Ancient Rome: patrician and plebeian.A long-standing opposition to
Virtually the entire history of a great empire - the internal contradictions associated with the struggle of his two main classes.The plebeians, who were ordinary people, constantly seek to improve their plight.Since they constitute the bulk of the Roman army, they had something to blackmail the aristocracy.Several times they refused to participate in battles if their conditions are not accepted.Patricia is not able to change or somehow affect the plebs, and were forced to make concessions.Gradually plebeians succeeded in electing their own rights officials who saw to it that their rights are not infringed upon a few patricians.
Gradually, representatives of the ancient Roman families became smaller.First, the number fell to 18, then to 14 families.This is due to long wars of Rome, which killed patricians and a strict ban on marriages with the families - the founders of Rome.In the end, to the first years of our era, the ancient patrician family disappeared.If earlier it was possible to become a patrician only by birth, but now could give the title patrician nobleman emperor.
