Download Roman society - CLIO History Journal

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)
Plebeans
(Plebs - the multitude)
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
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.
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
The Roman Family...
PATERFAMILIAS
Paternal authority (patria
potestas), Complete
disciplinary control (manus)
Family
The Roman family
included many
generations: the
oldest couple, their
married sons with
their wives and
children, and their
unmarried sons and
daughters.
Lordship (dominium)
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.
Patronage (patrocinium)
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)
To follow patron to war
Benefits (beneficia)
Received land to farm
To vote for patron in elections and support Received legal help and protection in the
his view in the assembly
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
Roman names
Praenomen
(personal
name)
Nomen
(clan name)
Cognomen
(family name)
Gaius
Julius
Caesar
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
(curlyhaired)
Agnomen
(special
name)
Adoptive
names
Octavianus
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 reelection
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