Roman Society, Culture, and
Slavery
An Overview of Social Structure, Cultural
Achievements, and the Institution of
Slavery
, Roman Society
• Highly stratified society with Patricians (aristocrats) and Plebeians
(commoners)
• Senators and equestrians held political and economic power
• Freedmen and slaves formed lower social classes
• Family (paterfamilias) was the core unit of society
• a) Patricians
• Aristocratic families claiming descent from Rome’s founders.
• Held political, religious, and social authority in the early Republic.
• Dominated the Senate and key magistracies.
• b) Plebeians
• Common people: farmers, artisans, merchants, and laborers.
• Initially excluded from high office, but gained political rights after
the Conflict of the Orders (5th–3rd century BCE).
• Formed the backbone of the army.
Slavery
An Overview of Social Structure, Cultural
Achievements, and the Institution of
Slavery
, Roman Society
• Highly stratified society with Patricians (aristocrats) and Plebeians
(commoners)
• Senators and equestrians held political and economic power
• Freedmen and slaves formed lower social classes
• Family (paterfamilias) was the core unit of society
• a) Patricians
• Aristocratic families claiming descent from Rome’s founders.
• Held political, religious, and social authority in the early Republic.
• Dominated the Senate and key magistracies.
• b) Plebeians
• Common people: farmers, artisans, merchants, and laborers.
• Initially excluded from high office, but gained political rights after
the Conflict of the Orders (5th–3rd century BCE).
• Formed the backbone of the army.
