Title: BBC - History - Ancient History in depth: Social Pecking Order in the Roman World
Headings: Social Pecking Order in the Roman World
Social Pecking Order in the Roman World
Legal status
In Rome - and across the empire - status mattered.
Citizen and non-citizen
Evaluating status
Wealth, influence and connections
Social mobility
Rome and the empire needed new blood.
Status symbols
Find out more
Books
About the author

Content: Beneath him, the senators acted in their turn as patrons to the lesser senators, and throughout society these relationships were replicated. Thus, through the patronage system, the lower strata of the Roman population could gain some indirect access to power and authority. A client might look to his patron for financial assistance, or legal help. In return the patron received respect, favours and a retinue of followers. Even for those without great wealth or access to power, there were opportunities to enhance social status and gain recognition among their peers. Many organisations - such as the army, and trade or religious guilds (often organised for burial purposes) - operated on hierarchical principles. In these settings people could hold office and obtain titles, whereas in the wider world they could not. Top
Social mobility
Trimalchio's story suggests social mobility. The system rewarded hard work, ambition and the accumulation of wealth, but there were limits. Birth remained important, and new citizens, however wealthy, could be stigmatised by their past.