Plebeians

The plebeians formed the majority of Rome's citizen population, composed of essentially every Roman who was not a patrician or slave. From roughly 509-287 BCE, this faction fiercely conflicted with the social elite of Roman society (called the patricians) over issues of social and economic importance.

Status of Plebeians

Plebeian dissatisfaction with the privileges afforded the patricians contributed largely to social unrest. Most importantly, voting in the democratic assemblies took place by groups, not individuals, which allowed the patricians enormous influence in early politics and particularly against the wills of the larger plebeian conglomerate. 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: The vast majority of Roman citizens who did not belong to the patrician class, particularly important for their participation in the conflict of orders

When: early Roman Republic

Where: Rome

Significance: Plebeian resistance to patrician political power eventually lead to the larger democratization of the Roman Republic.