Patricians And The Plebeian's Role In Roman Society

From the beginning of the Empire, Roman society was divided between patricians and plebeians. The first, rich citizens, could enter the senate, the magistracy, and the military post. The less fortunate citizens, the plebeians, could enlist in the army for a long career of about twenty years.

The plebeian is a movement opposed to the patriciate and to the oligarchical institutions of the city which favor it. It welcomes all those who adhere to its ideals, and thus approaches a party, or a union. It does not exclude anyone: there are not those who do not want to be part of it: patricians, clients. Thus, some patricians are part of the plebs, since we are plebs by choice.

The richest part of the plebeians, living like some patricians, because they were just below the requisite level, or were engaged in professions incompatible with the dignitas of the nobility. Some of their ascendants or descendants, possessing the census, will continue the course honorum.

* Negatiores are wholesale merchants.

* Argentarii are financiers. This profession requires funds well above the minimum but is incompatible with a good man [1]. Some were
They are citizens, freedmen or peregrines. They may possess slaves to assist them in their work, to own or to rent their stalls. They are very quickly subject to political uncertainties and monetary crises. They are part of the population that can create the troubles that regularly shake Rome. Especially as they form 'collegia' under the direction of a magister to defend their punctual interests (tax, improvement of supply, lower interest rates). We also have the plebs of the shallows and it is better known than the proletarii because it has much more intrigued and worried the upper classes. Some indigent are ready for any low action for some parts; civically uncontrollable, they can become dangerous in case of