2.6. Social Hierarchies

Tacitus described the leading social groups of the early empire as follows: senators (patres, lit. ‘fathers’); leading members of the equestrian class; the respectable section of the people, those attached to the great houses; the unkempt lower class (plebs sordida) who, he tells us, were addicted to the circus and theatrical displays; and finally the slaves.

Tacitus, a Roman historian, categorized the society of the early Roman Empire into distinct groups. The highest class, the senators, held significant power and influence, followed by the equestrian class, which also held wealth and status but to a lesser extent. The respectable people, often employees or kin of the elite, formed another tier, while the lower classes were seen as engaged in leisure activities like attending circuses. Finally, slaves were included at the bottom of the hierarchy, lacking freedom and rights.

Imagine a modern workplace hierarchy where there are top executives, managers, staff members, and interns. Just as in a corporation, some people wield authority and decision-making power (senators), while others support the organization (equestrians), and among workers, some get portrayed less favorably due to their roles (the lower class). Slaves, in this analogy, represent unpaid or unrecognized workers whose labor supports the entire system without personal benefits.

In the early third century when the Senate numbered roughly 1,000, approximately half of all senators still came from Italian families. By the late empire, with the first two groups mentioned by Tacitus merging into a unified aristocracy, at least half of all families were of African or eastern origin.

As the Roman Empire progressed into its later years, the makeup of its ruling class evolved significantly. Initially, most senators descended from the traditional Italian families, preserving a historic legacy. However, over time and especially by the late empire, this aristocracy began to integrate diverse groups from Africa and the East, reflecting the empire's expansion and the blending of cultures.

Think of a modern company that started as a family-owned business but later grows to include international partnerships. As the company expands, it hires individuals from various backgrounds, changing its culture and leadership composition. Just like this company evolves, the Roman aristocracy's shift to include members from different geographical areas showcases how societies transform with growth and cultural exchange.

The ‘middle’ class consisted of the considerable mass of persons connected with imperial service in the bureaucracy and army but also the more prosperous merchants and farmers of whom there were many in the eastern provinces. Below them were the vast mass of the lower classes known collectively as humiliores (lit. ‘lower’).

During the Roman Empire, a significant middle class emerged, comprising individuals who served the imperial administration, military personnel, and those who succeeded in trade and agriculture. In contrast, the lower classes, termed humiliores, represented those working in menial jobs or living on the margins of society, often struggling to make ends meet.

Consider a society today where there are government employees and successful small business owners forming the middle class. The lower class can be likened to people working in low-pay jobs and without job security. Just as this divides modern society, the varying social strata in ancient Rome indicate the complex layers of economic roles and opportunities.

A large mass of casual laborers, especially in the big cities, and of course, the thousands of slaves that were still found all over the western empire, in particular.

Slavery was a prevalent institution in the Roman Empire, playing a crucial role in the economy and day-to-day life. Many cities depended on casual laborers for jobs such as construction, domestic work, and services while slaves were integral across numerous sectors, often working on estates as agricultural laborers or in households.

Think of contemporary service industries that rely heavily on unskilled labor. A restaurant, for example, may employ a range of staff, with some workers being due wages but having minimal rights, resembling the slave dynamics of ancient Rome. This parallel exemplifies how certain economic dependencies can still exist in modern contexts, drawing connections to historical practices.

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