{"id":10269,"date":"2023-11-18T16:15:15","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T15:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=10269"},"modified":"2023-11-18T16:15:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-18T15:15:15","slug":"what-were-the-three-main-social-classes-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/what-were-the-three-main-social-classes-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"What Were The Three Main Social Classes In Ancient Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

In Ancient Rome, social classes fluctuated between times of peace and war. However, the Roman social structure was divided into three distinct classes: the Patricians, the Plebeians, and the Freedmen. Each class had its own distinct duties and responsibilities and forms the foundation of the modern Roman society.<\/p>\n

Patricians were the elite social class of Ancient Rome. In order to become a Patrician, one had to be born into a Patrician family. Patricians were the only ones permitted to become a political office holder, such as consuls and senators, in Ancient Rome and they also held a variety of religious, economic, and social positions. Patricians enjoyed lots of privileges such as the right to own land, vote, and manage public works projects.<\/p>\n

Plebeians were the largest social class in Ancient Rome. They were the non-elite common people who held menial jobs and menial tasks. Plebeians had fewer personal liberties compared to the Patricians, such as the right to carry weapons, and could not own land. In terms of political power, Plebeians had no say in the running of the city and could not hold political office.<\/p>\n

The third distinct social class in Ancient Rome was the Freedmen. Freedmen were former slaves who were given the freedom to live outside the slave-master relationship. Freedmen often held lower-class jobs and were not granted civil and political rights. However, Freedmen were allowed to hold some positions in Ancient Rome, such as medical practitioners and business owners.<\/p>\n