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The Origin Of Ancient Roman Patrician Families History Of Rome By Livy
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In the fascinating world of ancient Rome, a clear distinction existed between two classes of citizens - the patricians and the plebeians. This video delves deep into the origins of the patrician families and their intricate relationship with the plebeians, uncovering the complexity behind their societal dynamics. • Throughout the historical narrative of Rome, as chronicled by Livy, the patricians and plebeians engaged in persistent feuds over political dominance, except in times of external conflicts. Livy describes these internal conflicts as 'intestinal' fights, marked by physical violence that occasionally left the city vulnerable to its adversaries. Notably, the plebeians employed a powerful weapon: refusal to enlist in the army, thereby blackmailing the patricians. • The plebeians, through their representatives, the tribunes of the people, often alleged that many wars initiated by Rome were mere distractions orchestrated by the patricians to divert their focus from advocating for new laws and political rights. Livy appears to concur with this perspective. • For instance, in the 440s BCE, when Caius Canuleius proposed laws allowing intermarriage between patricians and plebeians and opening the consul's office to plebeians, a war with the Ardea people erupted. Livy's account highlights the Senate's preference for war over peace to maintain their status. • These clashes between patricians and plebeians are commonly referred to as 'the Conflict of the Orders' or 'the Struggle of the Orders,' where order denotes social class. • However, the intriguing question arises: What set the patrician families apart, considering their shared ancestry with other Romans? Remarkably, there was nothing distinctive about their lineage or ethnic origins. Just as some patrician families traced their roots to the Latin tribe, so did some plebeians. Ethnic diversity was not exclusive to either group. • For example, Appius Claudius, a patrician senator and consul, hailed from the Sabines, while Appius Herdonius, who led Rome's first slave uprising in 460 BCE, also had Sabine origins. This demonstrates that the patricians were not ethnically exclusive, and even slaves were deemed lower in social status than plebeians. • Nonetheless, over time, the patricians established political, economic, and social distinctions between themselves and the plebeians. They staunchly opposed intermarriage with plebeians, considering it a contamination of their 'pure' blood. • So, how did they become patricians? During Rome's founding by Romulus, he appointed 100 followers as senators, individuals trusted to assist in lawmaking and decision-making. This practice evolved into a hereditary office, with senators' children inheriting their positions upon their passing. • The expansion of senators continued with kings like Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, who added 100 senators known as the senators of the lesser families. Most of these appointees were Etruscans, who had followed him to Rome or were captured in war. • Initially, the patricians exclusively wielded political power. However, after the plebeians' first secession in 494 BCE, their control began to wane. The plebeians achieved the power to enact laws through public assemblies and had their appeals decided in the public assembly, which became the Supreme Court. • The Senate allowed the Commons to have tribunes of the people, who represented the people and protected their rights. With the Publilian law of the 460s BCE, plebeians started directly electing these tribunes. Over time, their influence grew, and they could impeach consuls and impose penalties. • The patricians eventually conceded to plebeians holding the office of consular tribunes with military authority over the state. A plebeian, Lucius Sexius, even became the first plebeian consul. • While both groups evolved into political parties, the majority of Romans identified as plebeians, and only a few in positions of authority recognized themselves as plebeians. • #AncientRome #PatricianFamilies #RomanHistory #ConflictOfTheOrders #RomanSociety #Livy #RomanPolitics #RomanOrigins #SocialClass #Plebeians #HistoricalNarrative #RomanCulture
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