ROMAN PATRICIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Roman patricians were members of the aristocratic class or elite social group in ancient Rome. They constituted the ruling class during the early republican period of Roman history (from 509 BCE to 27 BCE), holding high political, legal, and religious positions within the Roman state. The term "patrician" comes from the Latin word "patricius," which means "of, or belonging to, the father" or "nobleman."
Being born into a patrician family conferred certain privileges and advantages, including the right to hold political office, access to wealth and resources, and the ability to influence lawmaking and policy decisions. Patricians played a critical role in the governance and administration of the Roman Republic, serving as senators, consuls, and leading military commanders. They often advocated for their own class interests and sought to maintain their privileged position within Roman society.
The patricians distinguished themselves from the plebeians, who were the common citizens of Rome. The patrician class was seen as having noble lineage, holding ancient and prestigious ancestry, and possessing a sense of entitlement and superiority. This distinction was one of the key social divisions in Roman society and contributed to the conflicts and struggles between the patricians and the plebeians, ultimately leading to the establishment of a more inclusive political system in which the plebeians gained more rights and representation.
Etymology of ROMAN PATRICIAN
The word "patrician" can be traced back to ancient Rome. The term derives from the Latin word "patricius", which means "of the patres" or "of the fathers". The "patres" were the founding fathers of ancient Rome and its first senators. They were aristocratic citizens who held significant political power and were considered to be the elite class of society.
The term "Roman" comes from the name of the city, Rome, which was the capital of the ancient Roman Empire. "Roman" itself can be further traced back to the Latin word "Romanus", meaning "of Rome".
Therefore, when combined, "Roman patrician" refers to a member of the privileged noble class in ancient Rome, someone who belonged to the patrician order and possessed political and social influence.
