Class Structure in the Roman Republic

CLASS STRUCTURE IN THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

There was one problem with the Roman Republic: class distinction or the belief that some people are “upper” class while others are “lower” class and therefore in inferior. In Rome the government (the Senate) was made up of the upper class Patricians. The majority of Rome’s people were plebeians. These people included townspeople, small farmers, merchants, labourers and artisans. The plebeians had the right to vote, they had to pay taxes and they served in the army. They did not have the right to hold public office like the Patricians.

The plebeians bitterly resented this lack of power in this new republic as they knew the Patricians could not maintain the Republic without them. In 494 BCE, the plebeians went on strike to gain a greater voice in government. This strike frightened the patricians, and they soon agreed to meet some of the plebeians’ demands. They agreed to recognize the plebeians representatives (the tribunes).

Tribunes were very important men in Rome. At first there were only two, but as the city grew more tribunes were appointed. A tribune could not make laws, but he could stop any laws from passing which might injure the plebeians. All he had to say was “Veto!”, which in Latin for “I forbid”, and the law wouldn’t not be passed. A tribune could not be arrested, and any person who dared to injure a tribune could be put to death.

The plebeians also succeeded after a long struggle to get the government to engrave the Roman laws on 12 bronze tablets in 451 BCE. They were set in the Forum for all to see. The Twelve Tables, as these tablets were called became the basis for all future Roman Laws. By 367 BCE, the plebeians had gained the right to be one of the consuls. Eventually they won the right to hold any public office, including the Senate.

What about women?

· Women took an active role in the family, social events and business ventures in Rome.

· They had more freedom than Greek women, but they were still subject to authority of their husbands or fathers.

· They could own property, attend public games and festivals, work outside their home and run their own businesses.

· They could not vote or run for public office. Some very influential women exerted political power by influencing their husbands’ votes.

What about slaves?

· Slaves were the lowest members of society.

· They could be bought or sold. They were property and they had no rights.

· Romans slaves came from all over the Mediterranean.

· Jobs: domestic servants, labourers, gladiators. Eucated slaves were accountants, record-keepers and teachers.

· Most were sold to wealthy Roman families.

· Failure to follow their master’s orders could result in death.

· Slaves could be given their freedom by their masters or they could buy their freedom if they saved up enough money.