Traditionally, Roman society was extremely rigid.
By the first century,
however, the need for capable men to run Rome’s vast empire was slowly
eroding the old social barriers.
The social structure of ancient Rome was based on heredity,
property, wealth, citizenship and freedom. It was also based around
men: women were defined by the social status of their fathers or
husbands. Women were expected to look after the houses and very
few had any real independence.
Dressed to impress
The boundaries between the different classes were strict and legally
enforced: members of different classes even dressed differently.
Only the emperor was allowed to wear a purple toga, while senators
could wear a white toga with the latus clavus, a broad purple stripe
along the edge. Equestrian togas had a narrow purple stripe (clavus
augustus).
Although the classes were strictly defined, there was a lot of
interaction. Slaves and some freemen worked the in homes of the
upper classes, like the senators and patricians. Soldiers also mixed
with their officers.
Patronage
Roman society also involved a system of patronage. Members of the
upper classes – the patroni – offered protection to freedmen
or plebeians, who became their "cliens." Patronage might consist of
money, food, or legal help. Traditionally, any freed slaves became
the cliens of their former owner.
In return, patroni received respect and political favors. During the
empire, cliens were required to offer daily greetings to their
patroni, and the number of these greeters helped determine social
status. On the frontiers of the empire, Roman generals served as
patroni for the people they conquered, while Roman provinces or
cities often sought out an influential senator to act as patroni and
oversee their interests in Rome.
The chosen few
Despite the inflexibility of Roman society, advancement was always
possible for the select few. Wealth and property were well-known
routes to social advancement, as was patronage by the emperor – at
one point, Caligula even made a horse a senator.
Over time, society did become more fluid. Augustus expanded the
equestrian order and hired them into senior administrative
positions. By the end of the first century, equestrians were
recruited into the Senate.
Membership of the equestrian class was not restricted to Italian-
born citizens, so letting equestrians into the Senate was a big step.
Over time, the Senate would be open to Roman citizens from
outside Italy. By the end of the first century, even the emperor
himself would be born abroad.
Freedmen were slaves who had managed to buy their freedom or
whose owners had set them free. The freedman (or woman) then
became a client of their former owner, relying on his or her
patronage. Freed slaves were granted citizenship but could not hold
political office. Any children of freed slaves, however, were given
full rights as citizens
Technology and Science
Ancient Romans pioneered advances in many areas of science
and technology, establishing tools and methods that have ultimately shaped
the way the world does certain things.
The Romans were extremely adept engineers. They understood the laws of
physics well enough to develop aqueducts and better ways to aid water flow.
They harnessed water as energy for powering mines and mills. They also built
an expansive road network, a great achievement at the time. Their roads were
built by laying gravel and then paving with rock slabs. The Roman road
system was so large, it was said that “all roads lead to Rome.”
Along with large-scale engineering projects, the Romans also developed tools
and methods for use in agriculture. The Romans became successful farmers
due to their knowledge of climate, soil, and other planting-related subjects.
They developed or refined ways to effectively plant crops and to irrigate and
drain fields. Their techniques are still used by modern farmers, such as crop
rotation, pruning, grafting, seed selection, and manuring. The Romans also
used mills to process their grains from farming, which improved their efficiency
and employed many people.
Literature and Language
Much of the literature of the world has been greatly influenced by the literature
of the ancient Romans. During what is considered the “Golden Age of Roman
Poetry,” poets such as Virgil, Horace, and Ovid produced works that have had
an everlasting impact. Ovid’s Metamorphoses, for example, inspired authors
such as Chaucer, Milton, Dante, and Shakespeare. Shakespeare, in
particular, was fascinated by the ancient Romans, who served as the
inspiration for some of his plays, including Julius Caesar and Antony and
Cleopatra.
While Roman literature had a deep impact on the rest of the world, it is
important to note the impact that the Roman language has had on the
Western world. Ancient Romans spoke Latin, which spread throughout the
world with the increase of Roman political power. Latin became the basis for a
group of languages referred to as the “Romance languages.” These include
French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Catalan. Many Latin
root words are also the foundation for many English words. The English
alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet. Along with that, a lot of Latin is still
used in the present-day justice system.
Law
The use of Latin words is not the only way the
ancient Romans have influenced the Western justice system. Although
the Roman justice system was extremely harsh in its punishments, it did serve
as a rough outline of how court proceedings happen today. For example,
there was a preliminary hearing, much like there is today, where the
magistrate decided whether or not there was actually a case. If there were
grounds for a case, a prominent Roman citizen would try the case,
and witnesses and evidence would be presented. Roman laws and their court
system have served as the foundation for many countries’ justice systems,
such as the United States and much of Europe.
The ancient Romans helped to lay the groundwork for many aspects of the
modern world. It is no surprise that a once-booming empire was able to
impact the world in so many ways and leave a lasting legacy behind.
