Patricians and PlebeiansPatricians and Plebeians

By Noor ul Ain Syeda 634By Noor ul Ain Syeda 634

Narrated by Joel Galindo, Larry Narrated by Joel Galindo, Larry Flores and Juan GonzalezFlores and Juan Gonzalez

There were two main classes of people in There were two main classes of people in Ancient Rome Ancient Rome

Patricians And PlebeiansPatricians And Plebeians

PatriciansPatricians

The Patricians The Patricians were the were the upper class upper class the nobility the nobility and wealthy and wealthy landowners.landowners.

PlebeiansPlebeiansThe Plebeians were The Plebeians were lower class. This lower class. This group included group included everyone in Ancient everyone in Ancient Rome except for the Rome except for the nobility or the nobility or the Patricians. It included Patricians. It included well-to-do tradesmen well-to-do tradesmen all the way down to all the way down to the very poor.the very poor.

Some things were the same in Some things were the same in both classesboth classes

FamilyFamily The family was structured the same way in both The family was structured the same way in both

classes. The head of the family was the oldest classes. The head of the family was the oldest male. That could be the father, grandfather or male. That could be the father, grandfather or uncle. Every one in one family lived together. uncle. Every one in one family lived together. Woman had no authority except in the home. Woman had no authority except in the home. Old age was honored. Old age was honored.

AtriumAtrium

Life in the home Life in the home wealthy wealthy tradesmen and tradesmen and Patricians Patricians centered around centered around the atrium or the the atrium or the courtyard.courtyard.

SlavesSlaves

If they could If they could afford it both afford it both classes could classes could have slaveshave slaves

CitizenshipCitizenship Only adult Only adult

freemen from freemen from both classes both classes were citizens. were citizens. Woman, Woman, children and children and slaves were not slaves were not citizens.citizens.

Religion Religion

Both classes Both classes worshiped the worshiped the same gods and same gods and celebrated the celebrated the same festivals.same festivals.

Language Language Both classes Both classes

spoke Latin. spoke Latin.

ForumForum

Both classes Both classes enjoyed enjoyed activities in the activities in the forum, forum, including including many free many free activities such activities such as jugglers.as jugglers.

Things that were differentThings that were different

Social LifeSocial Life Wealthy Plebeians Wealthy Plebeians

and wealthy and wealthy Patricians families Patricians families did not meet did not meet socially. It was socially. It was illegal for plebeian illegal for plebeian and patricians to and patricians to marry.marry.

Apartment HousesApartment Houses Many Many

plebeians plebeians live in live in apartment apartment houses. houses. Wealthy Wealthy plebeians plebeians may live may live above their above their store.store.

Living ConditionsLiving Conditions

In poorer apartment In poorer apartment houses, an entire plebeian houses, an entire plebeian family might be crowded family might be crowded into one room without into one room without running water. The family running water. The family included children, parents, included children, parents, and grandparents. They and grandparents. They had to haul their water had to haul their water from public wells. They from public wells. They did not have toilets in did not have toilets in their apartments.their apartments.

Rich and Poor lifestyleRich and Poor lifestyle The rich people had beautiful mosaics on the floor of their The rich people had beautiful mosaics on the floor of their

homes. They wore lots of jewelry made of gold and had homes. They wore lots of jewelry made of gold and had beautiful clothing. The rich enjoyed leisure time. The poor beautiful clothing. The rich enjoyed leisure time. The poor worked all time and wore shabby clothing. Any jewelry that worked all time and wore shabby clothing. Any jewelry that they had was painted clay.they had was painted clay.