Ancient Rome Roman Class System 509 B.C.E.

Essential Standards 6.C.1 Explain how the behaviors and practices of individuals and groups influenced societies, civilizations and regions.

Clarifying Objectives 6.C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time (e.g., Roman class structure, Indian caste system and feudal, matrilineal and patrilineal societies). 6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions (e.g., beliefs, practices and spread of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism).

Essential Questions How can we see that there were differing religious viewpoints when we compare Christianity to the worship of the Cesar as a god? How did the Roman Class System divide people?

Social Structure A Social Structure is how the people of a certain civilization are organized It usually involves people being put into a class of people Most Social Structures of civilizations fall into the categories of …. Class Systems Caste Systems Feudalism Matrilineal Patrilineal

Roman Class Structure There were 6 Social Classes in Ancient Rome Consul Senators Equestrians Commons Freed people Slaves

Emperor (Cesar) Emperor was above the Roman Class System They were always #1 The Emperor was looked at as a god in the Roman Empire Roman citizens literally worshiped him

Essential Questions Get with a partner and answer…. How can we see that there were differing religious viewpoints when we compare Christianity to the worship of the Cesar as a god?

Roman Class Structure The Roman Class System is broken into 2 different categories…. Patricians Plebeians The Patricians are members of the UPPER CLASS The Plebeians are members of the LOWER CLASS

Essential Questions Get with a partner and answer…. How did the Roman Class System divide people?

Patricians (UPPER CLASS) Patricians were the UPPER CLASS They were believed to be descended from Romulus or Remus Patricians included…. Consol (Vice President) Senators (law makers)

Consol Consol was the leader of the Roman Class System There were 2 Consoles that got elected every year from the Senate They in control of Rome but only got a 1 year term

Senator Senators were the lawmakers of Rome There were 300 hundred senators They decided how Rome’s money was spent

Senator They were in charge of collecting taxes They were also in charge of relationships with other civilizations They were chosen by the Consul & were elected for LIFE

Plebeians (LOWER CLASS) Plebeians were members of the LOWER CLASS of Ancient Rome These were people that were not descendents of Romulus & Remes Plebeians included… Equestrians Commoners Freed People Slaves

Equestrian Equestrians were the start of the Plebeian Class They were the warriors & protectors of the Roman Empire These were members of the Roman Legions (military)

Commoner Commoners were people that were plain citizens of Rome These people would be like you & I in America They were free & they were citizens

Freed People Freed People were people that had either earned their freedom or bought their freedom Freed People used to be slaves from other countries that Rome had conquered They could never be citizens but they were free

Slave Slaves were at the bottom of the Roman Class System These were the only people that were not “FREE” in the Roman Republic They did mostly manual labor like building structures & farming

Rules of Roman Class Structure Patricians were NEVER allowed to MARRY Plebeians (Upper & Lower Class never married) In addition Plebeians could only get so high in government

Important Points 6.C.1.3 (Social Structure) The Social Structure of the Romans was called the ROMAN CLASS SYSTEM 6.C.1.3 (Social Structure) There were 2 classes of people PARTICIANS & PLEBIENS 6.C.1.2 (Religion) Ancient Rome was Polytheistic & Monotheistic. Some Romans believed in Jesus Christ while most believed that the Cesar was a god