Page 6 - My FlipBook
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ROMAN SOCIETY
Starting in 27 B.C.
People settled along the Tiber River in the 8th century
b.c. They were farmers. But they were also soldiers. EMPEROR
head of society and ruler of the empire
They took over many places. Then they built roads
leading back to Rome. PATRICIANS
wealthy, landowning families
SENATORS
governed Rome
EQUESTRIANS
wealthy property owners involved in business
ventures such as collecting taxes, government
contracts, banking, mining, and exports
rather than politics
PLEBEIANS
commoners; farmers, bakers, builders,
artisans, craftsmen, etc.; citizens who
worked for a living
FREEDMEN
former slaves who worked for a living
SLAVES
most commonly prisoners of war
or abandoned children
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