History Project Roman Society

Menu Roman Society Citizens Nobility Plebeians Non-Citizens Slaves Women Wealthy Women Poor Women Vesta Virgins The End

Roman Society Citizens Patricians Plebeians Non-citizens Women Slaves Foreigners

Citizens They were allowed to vote. In the Republican times, all citizens could take part in the running of nation of the government. They could choose the Senators and Consuls. They could also go to the forum (or to the Field of Mars) in Rome to listen to political speeches. There were two distinct groups of citizens in the republican period: The patricians and The Plebeians.

Patricians Patricians: were the richest group of citizens and could be elected as Senators. Most of them were rich landowners. They could own a house in the city and a villa in the countryside with many slaves. The father, grandfather and great-grandfather had to have a position as a magistrate to be considered a patrician.

Plebeians They were ordinary people such as: shopkeepers, carftmen, farmer, etc.. Some were poor and depended on the corn dole to supply them with grain. Plebeian children would follow the activities of their parents. Schooling only lasted two years for them, to learn how to read, write and do basic maths. They mostly lived in blocks of flats called insulate that were very badly built,with no heating or running water. Their meals consisted of coarse bread, bean or pea soup, and some porridge. Only once a month, they could include a roasted chicken or rabbit.

Non-Citizens- Slaves In war time, slaves were captured prisoners and they were not protected by the law. They had a wide variety of activities: they could work in the mines, did the household, keep the central heating and furnaces in the bath houses, they could also work in the fields,as teachers, some were trained to be gladiators.etc Provincial tax-collectors transported slaves to slave markets where they would be purchased by wholesale buyers who would go back to Rome to sell the slave. Slave marriage had to be recognized by the master and had no protection by law ; if they had children the children would automatically become slaves. Most of the times they were treated badly, the master could do anything with them: He could torture or even killed them. Slaves who ran away would probably die

In the markets, slaves had a plaque in the neck with all the information required by the potential buyers:place of birth, abilities, special knowledges,etc. They could be set free for good service. Punishments inflicted were merciless but then deliberate cruelty against slaves

Non-Citizens:Rich and Poor Women It was usual for marriages to be arranged. Could be marriage off in her early teens and be a grandmother by the age of thirty.

Wealthy Roman Women Women with wealthy husbands run the household and shared her authority over children and slaves. Attended to banquets with their husbands and planned dinner parties. Taught their girls the skills needed when they got married. Enjoyed some freedom and respect. Were not supposed to get involved in politics. Although they were very rich, they couldn´t have or wear certain things that were considered vulgar

Poor Roman Women They made a great deal of work. They had no slaves. Many helped in their husbands business Vestal Virgins Gave their life to Vesta, the godess of the Earth. Left their families at the age of six to ten. They lived in a special building beside the temple. Could not get married. Did not have to obey their farther`s orders and were given special honours

The End Sources: Information: and Peter Mantin and Richard Pulley book: The Roman News Brian Szmulewiez Dolores Baron Ivan Haberkon