CLA231H1 Lecture Notes - Roman Senate, Intrade, Olive Oil
Document Summary
Does not map out a distinction of rich and poor: some plebs as wealthy as patricians. Equites means horsemen and is derived from the census. The top centuries contained men who were wealthy enough to supply the army, their own weapons and armor and horses. 18 equestrian centuries would vote in the centuriate assembly. Equites eventually referred to anyone at the top of the military. Late republic: c. 1st c. bce, there was a distinction between equites and senators: senators held high office, equites were wealthy people but who did not hold high, political offices, distinction became hereditary. Equites derived income from their agricultural estates: served as officers in the roman army, engaged intrade and commerce, on a large scale internationally, sometimes purchased government contracts, especially for tax collections. Senators were forbidden of engaging in international commerce in 218 bce: also forbidden in purchasing government contracts. Equestrians came to dominate the business sphere of yo man society.
