Patricians

The patricians were a collection of closed-circle elite families in the Roman Republic, much akin to the nobles of medieval Europe. From roughly 509-287 BCE, this faction fiercely conflicted with the remainder of Roman society (called the plebeians) over issues of social and economic importance.

Status of Patricians

In the early republic, patricians proclaimed a number of advantages over the majority of the citizenry by virtue of their wealth and the prestige associated with their title. The patricians descended from roughly 130 upper-class families who controlled important religious activities, who consolidated their social importance by banning intermarriage with plebeians and flaunting signs of high status such as wearing specialized footwear. Most importantly, voting in the democratic assemblies took place by groups, not individuals, which allowed the patricians enormous influence in early politics. In addition to this, declarations passed by the plebeian assembly (referred to as plebiscites) were not recognized as law by the patricians, a tendency which was eventually overturned in 287 BCE and ended the period of social unrest known as the conflict of orders.

Quick Test Review

Who: closed circle of lit families that controlled most of the wealth and governing power in the Roman Republic; Struggled with plebeians; controlled important religious activities

When: era of Roman Republic

Where: Rome

Significance: provided leadership for governmental posts, competed with plebeians and each other for power