Plebeians

Plebeians, common people of ancient Rome, including the poor and landless; one of the two groups making up the Roman nation, the other being the patricians or members of the original Roman family groups. The origin of the plebeians is uncertain. Some scholars believe they were people of inferior birth who flocked to the city as employees, hangers-on, or clients of the patrician families and whose number was constantly increased by the subjugation of the surrounding cities and states. Other scholars maintain that the plebeians came from Liguria, and were among the earliest settlers of Rome, later conquered by the Sabines.

During the Roman Republic (509-44 bc) the plebeians gradually acquired a variety of new privileges and, after a long struggle with the patricians, eventually gained access to all civil and religious offices. A new aristocracy of nobiles, based upon wealth and office and composed of both patricians and plebeians, was established. Thereafter the term plebeians was loosely used to denote the multitude, in opposition to the senators and the knights.