Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Senators and Administrators of the

Empire

Nobles Patricians and wealthy Plebians

Plebians(Plebs)

Freedmen

Slaves

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Senators and Administrators of the

Empire

This class of ancient Rome

social hierarchy got its

position due to the political

power that it possesses. The

class included all men who

served in the senate. This

class was dominated by the

nobles. The nobles were the

families whose ancestors

included at least one

ambassador. At that time, a

man with a property value

worth 800,000 sesterces was

able to earn a lifelong

membership to the senatorial

class for the whole family.

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Nobles Patricians and wealthy Plebians

All the officials and the advisories position of the king were occupied by the members of the wealthiest families known as the patricians. After the dissolution of the monarch rule, the patricians took control over the city and formed the basis of aristocracy.

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Plebians(Plebs)

The "plebs" were the vast majority of society and they constituted a social class made of the common folk. Generally speaking they were the descendants of people who had come to Rome after the Patrician families had founded it. Possibly they were descended from freed men or simple immigrants. Craftsmen, peasants, and urban plebs.

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Freedmen

The men and women belonging to this class were slaves in the early days but have now recovered their freedom. However, they were not fully freed and they have had various restrictions regarding their legal rights. They are not eligible for working in the public offices.

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Slaves

This was the lowest class of the Roman hierarchy and they don’t have any freedom of their own. They were the property of their masters. The lord of the house had the same rights over his slaves as he did over his wife and children. He could make a slave into a free man or sell one of his own family members into slavery.

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Senators and Administrators of the

Empire

Nobles Patricians and wealthy Plebians

Plebians(Plebs)

Freedmen

Slaves

Social Groups in the Roman Empire

Senators and Administrators of the

Empire

Nobles Patricians and wealthy Plebians

Plebians(Plebs)

Freedmen

Slaves