Roman society in the early republic... In this lesson we are going to examine the social structure, political organisation and religion of Roman society in the early republic. Initially, you should focus on simply understanding the information provided. Then, in the second half of the lesson, you will be required to apply this newfound information imaginatively by assuming a Roman identity.
But first...
Looking up to the Palatine Hill from the Roman Forum
Ok, now, Roman society...
Two classes of citizens Patricians (Patres - fathers) Large landowners of noble birth who had a privileged position within the state; they could trace their ancestry back to the original clans who occupied the seven hills Plebeans (Plebs - the multitude) The body of Roman citizens apart from the privileged participants - small farmers, traders, craftsmen and labourers; excluded from political, legal, economic and religious rights Large landowners, leased public land Didn't own land, might 'rent' it. Harsh debt laws, taxed in time of war, could make money through trade Monopoly of powerful political positions Ruled by the patricians, excluded from senate, assembly dominated by patricians Controlled religion, became Pontiffs and Augurs Excluded from religious office Laws unwritten and only patricians could interpret and administer it No right of appeal against decisions of patricians Dominated army, could afford to keep their property running while absent Served in army, had to leave land unattended. Military service gave political leverage.
Familia Familia Familia The gentes (clans) A gens was a clan: gentes (clans) were composed of families descended from a common ancestor and had religious rites in common GENS Familia Familia Familia
Patronage (patrocinium) The Roman Family... PATERFAMILIAS Paternal authority (patria potestas), Complete disciplinary control (manus) Lordship (dominium) Patronage (patrocinium) Family The Roman family included many generations: the oldest couple, their married sons with their wives and children, and their unmarried sons and daughters. Slaves Generally prisoners of war taken by the Romans in their conflicts with the Italian tribes around them. A slave could be freed by the paterfamilias. Freedmen (liberti) became clients. Clients Clients, although dependants, enjoyed some of the privileges of the family. They were granted land and protection by their patron in return for economic and political services.
What was involved in being a 'client'? Duties (officia) Benefits (beneficia) To follow patron to war Received land to farm To vote for patron in elections and support his view in the assembly Received legal help and protection in the courts To give respectful attention to patron Received food rations (occasionally payment in cash) To support the patron in certain economic matters, such as helping to provide a dowry for the patron's daughter Patrons and clients could not give evidence against one another
Praenomen (personal name) Cognomen (family name) Roman names Praenomen (personal name) Nomen (clan name) Cognomen (family name) Agnomen (special name) Adoptive names Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Aulus Quintus Decimus Titus Publius Gnaeus Lucius Marcus Gaius Sextus Manius Tiberius Cornelias Claudius Julius Aemilius Licinius Scipio Sulla Gallus Lentulus Balbus Celsus Dolabella Naso (nasus - nose) Capito (caput - head) Caesar (curly-haired) Africanus Macedonicus Creticus Magnus (great) Felix (fortunate)
Political Organisation Consuls - two patrician magistrates Supreme executive authority - military, civil and judicial Symbol of imperium - the fasces (double-headed axe enclosed in a bundle of rods) Toga praetexta - with a purple band Auspicium - right to take the auspices Each consul had the right of veto Only one year in office, ten years before eligible for re-election The senate - council of nobles Originally 100 members (late 300), patricians only Seat for life, unless guilty of serious misconduct Advisory body to consuls Power to veto resolutions The comitia curiata - people's assembly Originated in the time of the kings Rome was divided into 'parishes' (curiae) The assembly elected the consuls Voted for or against resolutions consuls put before it but could not raise or discuss any issues