Could The People Become More Powerful Over Their Lifetimes Or Were They Each Born Into A Position That Didn't Change?
Ancient Rome had 4 different classes that they used to separate the wealthy and important people from the poor and unworthy people.
The lowest of the 4 classes were for the slaves. They were owned by other people and they had no rights at all. Slaves were usually people or residents from countries that Rome had conquered.
The next class of people were known as plebeians. They were the free people, they had rights but little say in anything. To be a plebeian you just needed to be a roman citizen.
The second highest class were the equestrians (sometimes called the 'knights'). Their name means the 'riders', as they were given a horse to ride if they went out to fight for Rome. But to be an equestrian you had to be rich. A man could be formally enrolled in the equestrian order if he could prove that he possessed a stable minimum amount of wealth. However, if an equestrian was chosen to a magistracy and entered the Senate, he moved up to the senatorial class; this was not particularly easy or frequent.
The highest class were the nobles of Rome. They were called the ‘patricians’. All the real power in Rome lay with them. Being a patrician was a right of birth and they could not do anything to earn this class.
The roman republic was a very successful government. It lasted from 510 BC to 23 AD – almost 500 years. In comparison to USA which has only been around since 1776 (barely 250 years).
The lowest of the 4 classes were for the slaves. They were owned by other people and they had no rights at all. Slaves were usually people or residents from countries that Rome had conquered.
The next class of people were known as plebeians. They were the free people, they had rights but little say in anything. To be a plebeian you just needed to be a roman citizen.
The second highest class were the equestrians (sometimes called the 'knights'). Their name means the 'riders', as they were given a horse to ride if they went out to fight for Rome. But to be an equestrian you had to be rich. A man could be formally enrolled in the equestrian order if he could prove that he possessed a stable minimum amount of wealth. However, if an equestrian was chosen to a magistracy and entered the Senate, he moved up to the senatorial class; this was not particularly easy or frequent.
The highest class were the nobles of Rome. They were called the ‘patricians’. All the real power in Rome lay with them. Being a patrician was a right of birth and they could not do anything to earn this class.
The roman republic was a very successful government. It lasted from 510 BC to 23 AD – almost 500 years. In comparison to USA which has only been around since 1776 (barely 250 years).