In Ancient Rome, citizenship was a prized commodity and an exclusive right given to Roman people. It was one of the few ways for them to become socially and politically equal to their peers. Who got to be citizens of Ancient Rome? The answer to this question lies deep in the past, determined by the Romans themselves and steeped in a complex web of laws and regulations.
At its early stages, Roman citizenship only applied to the members of the Sabine tribe, who had settled in what was later to become Rome. This distinct and limited form of citizenship was known as the Civitas Sabiniana. Later, in the 5th century BC, other groups, such as the Etruscans, Latins and Samnites, were granted citizenship, forming a larger group known as the Quiritarian citizenship.
During the period of the Roman Republic, citizenship spread further, as it was granted to non-Italians and residents from outside Rome. This form of citizenship, however, only conferred the rights of property ownership, commerce, marriage and legal protection. True political power was reserved for the Roman citizens of Quiritarian status. Moreover, slaves were not granted any form of Roman citizenship, no matter their origin or other characteristics.
In 212 BC, Emperor Caracalla implemented the Edict of Caracalla, which granted full Roman citizenship to all free men living within the entire Roman Empire. This edict was extremely contentious, as it seemed to favor non-Italian populations over Italians. Furthermore, it made little distinction between slaves and free men, thus granting citizenship to those that had not earned it in any way.
The process of obtaining Roman citizenship followed a three-step process. The first step was the Naturalization, which granted basic rights to a foreigner living in Rome. Then there was the Civitas, a status that could be granted to those who were born in Rome or had lived there for at least one year. Finally, there was the Latin Rights, offered to people from a Latin-speaking area who had been citizens of a Latin state or were citizens of another city in the Roman Empire.
Although the Roman citizenship was a heavily restricted right, it nevertheless had an impact on the cultural and political landscape of the Ancient Roman world. As the first of its kind, it inspired some of the most important doctrines of modern citizenship, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Definition of a Roman Citizen
The definition of a Roman citizen was something that was continuously discussed and revised throughout the course of Ancient Rome’s history. Many groups and individuals desired the right to Roman citizenship, but the authorities were uncompromising with who they would accept and who they would not. The definition changed time and time again, with some citizens receiving more privileges than others, and some not even gaining the right to vote. Today, the definition of a Roman citizen lies in the eyes of the beholder, as it is open to interpretation.
Roman Citizenship and Slavery
One of the most important aspects of Roman citizenship was the hardline stance against slavery. While it was acceptable for some to own and use slaves as a matter of economic necessity, the Roman law did not recognize them as citizens. They were never able to gain the full rights and protections of the law, and their rights were not protected by the government.
This was extremely divisive and caused a great deal of controversy within the Roman society, as many of the slaves were former citizens of conquered nations who sought to gain the full rights of Roman citizenship. Despite these controversies, the Roman government always maintained its stance that slaves were not citizens, instead viewing them as economic assets to be used for the benefit of the Roman state.
The Right to Vote and Roman Citizenship
The rights of a Roman citizen were vast and varied, but one of the most important was the right to vote. In Ancient Rome, it was one of the core tenets of their democracy, and it was highly sought-after. It was not a right that was granted to just anyone, and the process of obtaining it had to be done carefully. Candidates had to prove that they were worthy of such a right and demonstrate their allegiance to the Roman state.
In order to gain voting rights, candidates would have to be recommended by Roman senators and other high-ranking members of the government. The process was rigorous, and candidates had to demonstrate their in-depth understanding of the Roman political system, as well as their commitment to the Roman state. Any citizen of questionable loyalty would be denied the right to vote.
The Social Implications of Roman Citizenship
Although obtaining Roman citizenship was difficult, it did have its advantages. For one, it allowed citizens to significantly improve their social standing within the Roman Empire. It gave them the ability to claim respect from their peers and advantage in different aspects of life. This created a sense of solidarity and belonging in communities that were bound together by Roman law.
Moreover, the Roman state was incredibly organized. This gave citizens access to qualified professionals who could help in the running of their business or deal with any legal issues that arose. This enabled them to gain access to resources that made their lives easier and allowed them to continue to be productive members of the Roman economy.
The Disadvantages of Roman Citizenship
Just as there were advantages in gaining Roman citizenship, there were also some disadvantages. As the process of attaining it was so rigorous, it could take a very long time and require a great deal of resources. This was especially true for people from foreign nations, as the process was even longer and more costly for them.
Moreover, despite the protection afforded by the Roman state, there were still some crimes and misdemeanors that would result in the forfeiture of a citizen’s rights. This would make the person an outcast, and they would no longer qualify for the benefits of Roman citizenship. It was an extremely serious consequence, and one that was taken seriously by the authorities.
The Legacy of Roman Citizenship
Today, the principles and practices of Roman citizenship have greatly influenced modern notions of citizenship, as well as the relationship between states and their citizens. Many of the concepts that we take for granted today, such as universal suffrage and the right to own property, have their roots in Ancient Rome and its emphasis on protecting the rights of its citizens.
The legacy of Roman citizenship was tainted by its exclusionary and often draconian policies that denied some of the great privileges of Roman citizenship to those who were not considered to be ‘worthy’ of it. Despite this, it drew the blueprint for the democracy and society of today, and for this it will always be remembered.
