1. Ancient Rome
Roman Class System
509 B.C.E.

2. Essential Standards
6.C.1 Explain how the behaviors and practices of individuals and groups influenced societies, civilizations and regions.

3. Clarifying Objectives
6.C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time (e.g., Roman class structure, Indian caste system and feudal, matrilineal and patrilineal societies).
6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions (e.g., beliefs, practices and spread of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism).

4. Essential Questions
How can we see that there were differing religious viewpoints when we compare Christianity to the worship of the Cesar as a god?
How did the Roman Class System divide people?

5. Social Structure
A Social Structure is how the people of a certain civilization are organized
It usually involves people being put into a class of people
Most Social Structures of civilizations fall into the categories of ….
Class Systems
Caste Systems
Feudalism
Matrilineal
Patrilineal

6. Roman Class Structure There were 6 Social Classes in Ancient Rome
Consul
Senators
Equestrians
Commons
Freed people
Slaves

7. Emperor (Cesar) Emperor was above the Roman Class System
They were always #1
The Emperor was looked at as a god in the Roman Empire
Roman citizens literally worshiped him

8. Essential Questions Get with a partner and answer….
How can we see that there were differing religious viewpoints when we compare Christianity to the worship of the Cesar as a god?

9. Roman Class Structure
The Roman Class System is broken into 2 different categories….
Patricians
Plebeians
The Patricians are members of the UPPER CLASS
The Plebeians are members of the LOWER CLASS

10. Essential Questions Get with a partner and answer….
How did the Roman Class System divide people?

11. Patricians (UPPER CLASS)
Patricians were the UPPER CLASS
They were believed to be descended from Romulus or Remus
Patricians included….
Consol (Vice President)
Senators (law makers)

12. Consol Consol was the leader of the Roman Class System
There were 2 Consoles that got elected every year from the Senate
They in control of Rome but only got a 1 year term

13. Senator Senators were the lawmakers of Rome
There were 300 hundred senators
They decided how Rome’s money was spent

14. Senator They were in charge of collecting taxes
They were also in charge of relationships with other civilizations
They were chosen by the Consul & were elected for LIFE

15. Plebeians (LOWER CLASS)
Plebeians were members of the LOWER CLASS of Ancient Rome
These were people that were not descendents of Romulus & Remes
Plebeians included…
Equestrians
Commoners
Freed People
Slaves

16. Equestrian Equestrians were the start of the Plebeian Class
They were the warriors & protectors of the Roman Empire
These were members of the Roman Legions (military)

17. Commoner Commoners were people that were plain citizens of Rome
These people would be like you & I in America
They were free & they were citizens

18. Freed People
Freed People were people that had either earned their freedom or bought their freedom
Freed People used to be slaves from other countries that Rome had conquered
They could never be citizens but they were free

19. Slave Slaves were at the bottom of the Roman Class System
These were the only people that were not “FREE” in the Roman Republic
They did mostly manual labor like building structures & farming

20. Rules of Roman Class Structure
Patricians were NEVER allowed to MARRY Plebeians (Upper & Lower Class never married)
In addition Plebeians could only get so high in government

21. Important Points
6.C.1.3 (Social Structure) The Social Structure of the Romans was called the ROMAN CLASS SYSTEM
6.C.1.3 (Social Structure) There were 2 classes of people PARTICIANS & PLEBIENS
6.C.1.2 (Religion) Ancient Rome was Polytheistic & Monotheistic. Some Romans believed in Jesus Christ while most believed that the Cesar was a god