AR226 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Class Conflict, Socii, Battle Of Lake Regillus
8 Feb 2016
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Struggle of the orders and roman conquest of italy. Privileged small group of noble families who formed upper classes at rome. Formed about 1 out of 10 of the total population of rome. Plebeians/plebs: the masses (from greek plethos meaning multitude) including wealthy plebs aristocrats whose city states had been absorbed by rome day labourers. Reflects basic division between patricians and plebeians. Plebs were clients attached to their patrons (patricians) in a subordinate way which was legal and formal in early republic. Each patrol was a man of great influence and sought a political role in account with his position, so patron-client system achieved political dominance. Became hereditary, passed down from father to son. Wealthy plebs mostly excluded from consulships until 366 bce. Needed protection from abuses of powers: public land inaccessible to plebs although patricians became largest land-owners. Heavy military burden: had to pay taxes (tribute) for army"s support.
