WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The word “patrician” comes from the Latin “patres”, meaning “fathers”, and these families provided the empire’s political, religious, and military leadership. Most patricians were wealthy landowners from old families, but the class was open to a chosen few who had been deliberately promoted by the emperor.

Detailed explanation-2: -The patricians were the wealthy land-owning noble class in Rome. They often owned slaves who would work their farms for them. The patricians inherited their power and held almost all the important government positions such as the consuls.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plebeians were the farmers, craftsmen, laborers, and soldiers of Rome. In the early stages of Rome, the plebeians had few rights. All of the government and religious positions were held by patricians. The patricians made the laws, owned the lands, and were the generals over the army.

Detailed explanation-4: -Patricians and Plebeians The upper-class patricians (puh•TRIHSH•uhnz) were wealthy landowners who held all of the highest positions in government. The plebeians (plih•BEE•uhnz) were mostly common farmers. Like all male Roman citizens, they could vote, but they couldn’t hold important government positions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Most patricians were wealthy land owners. They owned the best land and used their position of power to dominate the governing of the Republic. In the early Republic, only patricians were allowed to run for public office.