Patricians


 * Who:** Roman social elite
 * What:** Rome was split into two social classes. The patricians and the plebs. The patricians were the social elite, the rich and respected. Thought they were fewer in number in the government, they held the majority of power. Many religious positions were only open to patricians until the fall of the Republic. By the time of Constantine, the prowess of the patricians had declined.
 * When:** For most of roman history, especially in the Republic and early Empire, patricians were regarded as the aristocrats of society. Early emperors gave their followers patrician status. However as Rome's power declined, so did the division between patricians and plebs.
 * Why:** This social division in Rome was the reason for many internal struggles. The Gracchus brothers, along with some other romans, attempted to get rid of the division, but were killed by patricians afraid of losing their wealth and power.