|
|
|
Although the Roman Thermae baths were large friendly complexes where males and females of all ages and classes congregated every day in mid-afternoon for an important unifying cleansing social ritual, it was largely symbolic in nature. In actuality there were wide disparities in the daily lifestyles of the distinctive social classes of Senators, Patricians, Equestrians, Plebeians, Slaves, and Freedmen which had developed over the centuries that had elapsed since the early day when Rome was first founded on Palatine Hill. The Senators Class consisted of the six hundred wealthy men who were members of the Imperial Roman Senate. They had to be either Roman citizens more than twenty five years old who had either administrative and military experience or were the sons of Senators. After being nominated by the emperor, the Princeps Senatus, members went through the formality of election to the lowest ranking position of quaestorship. From this position Senators then aspired to magistries with a higher senatorial rank like the aedileship, the praetorship, and the consulship.
Senators were not paid,
but, they received special privileges such as judgeships, preferred seating at
games and public ceremonies, and the right to wear the latus clavus, a purple
striped toga. The Patricians Class were a privileged group of old Roman families
who were wealthy landowners. They controlled the military, politics, and
religion.
Only a Patrician could become emperor. As a class, their sons were eligible to serve in the elite priesthoods, had limited military duties, and were educated to become administrators and politicians. Elected from the Patrician class, Roman Priests served at temples for the Gods and Roman Priestesses at the temples for the Goddesses. The Rex Sacrorum, who receive a lifetime appointment to perform sacrificial rituals on behalf of the state as the King of Sacred Things, was also chosen from member of the Patrician Class. The Equestrians Class evolved from being cavalry in the early days of Rome to become a commercial class of wealthy businessmen which included such professions as bankers, exporters, miners, and tax collectors. Later on emperor Augustus reorganized them into a military class requiring that they be of free birth, good character, healthy, and own 400,000 sesterces. All the sons of Senators were Equestrians until after they were twenty five years old, when they were eligible to become a senator.
The Plebians Class was a
catchall term for all free Roman citizens who were not members of either the
Equestrians Class or the Patricians Class. Those who performed plebeian jobs
like artisans, bakers, builders, and farmers were considered lower on the social
scale and were paid accordingly...Continue on
|
|
|
Explore 
Visit 
Rome Roma Roman Ancient Culture 
