Social Structure and Hierarchy in Ancient Rome

Social Structure in Ancient Rome

3.1. Social Division

Roman society was divided into strict groups:

Citizens

• Patricians: A very small minority who lived in luxurious houses (domus). They were Roman noblemen considered to be descendants of Rome's founders, the patres. They owned all the land during the Republic, served in the Senate, and held the most important military and administrative posts.
• Plebeians: Most Romans belonged to this social group, which was composed of small farmers, peasants, and craftsmen. Although they could not participate in politics, they were permitted to vote. They engaged in continuous struggles with the Patricians, eventually forcing the passage of the Law of the Twelve Tables (451 BC) to secure their support. Consequently, the Senate created specific magistrate positions reserved for Plebeians:
  • Plebeian Tribune: Defended Plebeian rights and held the power to veto laws.
  • Aediles: Officials responsible for municipal administration.
  • From 350 BC onwards, one of the two consuls was required to be a Plebeian.

Non-Citizens

Conquered populations did not initially possess the same rights as Roman citizens. However, in AD 212, Caracalla issued the Constitutio Antoniana (Edict of Caracalla), granting full Roman citizenship to every free man living in the Roman Empire. Free women were granted similar rights to Roman women.

• Foreigners: Individuals from outside Roman borders, typically working as craftsmen or merchants.
• Freedmen: Slaves who gained their freedom either by purchasing it or through manumission (granted by their master). They were known as libertus.
• Women: They possessed few rights and could not vote. However, they could manage their own businesses and own property. Their primary societal function was to raise children and support their male relatives. Unlike Greek women, they did not live in separate areas of the house.
• Slaves: Individuals who were prisoners of war, born into slavery, or enslaved due to debt. They possessed no rights and were considered the property of their masters.

Family Organization

Society was organized into families:

• Patrician families joined to form a gens.
• These families attracted many people who worked for them in exchange for favors.