Status & Hierarchy

slave freedman free

    citizen   non-citizen

 plebeian   patrician

Elite Identity

Family (gens): extended clan

• (Supposed) common ancestor
• Designated by nomen (e.g. gens Cornelia)
• Patrician or plebeian

Money (land vs. business)

Patronage system (clientela)

Clientship (clientela)

Mutually supportive relationship between patron & dependent client

• Enforced by custom, not law (ex. freedmen)
• Hereditary on both sides

1) Patron (patronus)

• defends clients in court
• represents interests in senate
• may support financially

• vote for patron in elections
• accompany patron to court, forum etc.
• can be individuals or communities

Laws, but no written constitution

1. Magistrates

a) Annual Magistrates (used for dating)

• 2 Consuls
• ... or 5 Military Tribunes
• ... or 1 Dictator + 1 "Master of Horse"

• Usually distinguished ex-consuls
• 18 month term every 5 years (lustrum)
• Rites, records & public works

• Composed of ex-magistrates

• Elects magistrates
• Biased toward upper class

1) "Struggle of the Orders"

Secessions of Plebs, *494; *449; c. 287
 ---> 5-10 Tribunes of the Plebs
XII Tables, 450
Lex Licinia (Licinian Law), 367/6

New Assemblies

• Comitia Tributa
• Concilium Plebis:  (> Plebiscite)

• 8 Praetors: sub-consuls, judiciary
• 20 Quaestors: financial officials
• Pro-magistrates (proconsuls etc.)
• Aediles: public safety, urban affairs

3) Older Offices Discarded

• No military tribunes in historical period
• Reluctance to appoint dictators
• Censors appointed more irregularly

Senatorial class vs. Equites ("knights")

Factions (not Political Parties!):

• Optimates: Defenders of elite privileges
• Populares: Seek support from people

Sources of gratia ("favor, goodwill" = political clout)

• Family nobility
• Defending others in law-courts
• Military record
• Sponsorship of festivals
• Friendship/political alliance
• Large number of clients

• Manipulation of religion
• Legal prosecutions
• Violence (assassination, intimidation)
• Bribery & corruption