The social classes in Rome were based on wealth, freedom, property, citizenship, and men. Men, because women were always either the their husband or father's class.
Romes Classes
In Rome, the classes were divided into several different parts. The first parts that were made are the Upper class and the Lower class. Dress was also very important in the classes. Only certain people could wear certain things.
The Upper and Lower Class- The Upper class consists of people who have more money- for example emperors were in the first class. The Lower class people have less in terms of money.
The Senatorial Class- Under the Upper class, the second highest is the Senatorial Class. This class is the senators.
The Equestrian Class- Next is the Equestrian Class. These are all the horse back riders.
The Commons- Now, we start to move into the Lower class. The highest level in lower class, is the Commons. That's all the free born citizens.
The Latins- Next down is the Latins. They are free born residence of Italy, but not fully Roman.
The Foreigners- After that are the Foreigners, free born people that live in Rome.
The Freed People- Then come the Freed People. They are exactly what they sound like they are. People that were slaves, but were then freed.
The Slaves- And lastly, the lowest class is the slaves.
Romes Classes
In Rome, the classes were divided into several different parts. The first parts that were made are the Upper class and the Lower class. Dress was also very important in the classes. Only certain people could wear certain things.
The Upper and Lower Class- The Upper class consists of people who have more money- for example emperors were in the first class. The Lower class people have less in terms of money.
The Senatorial Class- Under the Upper class, the second highest is the Senatorial Class. This class is the senators.
The Equestrian Class- Next is the Equestrian Class. These are all the horse back riders.
The Commons- Now, we start to move into the Lower class. The highest level in lower class, is the Commons. That's all the free born citizens.
The Latins- Next down is the Latins. They are free born residence of Italy, but not fully Roman.
The Foreigners- After that are the Foreigners, free born people that live in Rome.
The Freed People- Then come the Freed People. They are exactly what they sound like they are. People that were slaves, but were then freed.
The Slaves- And lastly, the lowest class is the slaves.
The Patronage
The Patronage consisted members of the upper class, and offered protection to their freed slaves. Their freed slaves were referred to as their clients. The patronage meant the clients previous owners(the patroni) could help them out with money, food, or illegal situations. The upper class did this in hopes that if they ever went to war, their clients would be their slaves. They also got "political favors", respect, and each day their client would have to greet their patroni. Your social status is helped by the amount of greetings you have each day.
Can You Change Your Social Class?
Even though Rome was very inflexible, a few people were able to change their social class. For instance, when Canigula made an equestrian her senator.
The Patronage consisted members of the upper class, and offered protection to their freed slaves. Their freed slaves were referred to as their clients. The patronage meant the clients previous owners(the patroni) could help them out with money, food, or illegal situations. The upper class did this in hopes that if they ever went to war, their clients would be their slaves. They also got "political favors", respect, and each day their client would have to greet their patroni. Your social status is helped by the amount of greetings you have each day.
Can You Change Your Social Class?
Even though Rome was very inflexible, a few people were able to change their social class. For instance, when Canigula made an equestrian her senator.