History quiz

What is a description of the average plebeian?

Plebeians were the common people of ancient Rome who did not belong to the patrician class. They made up the majority of the population and included farmers, merchants, artisans, and laborers. Plebeians were citizens of Rome, but they did not have the same rights and privileges as patricians. They could not hold high office, serve in the Senate, or marry patricians.

The average plebeian lived a simple life. They worked hard to provide for their families, and they had little time for leisure activities. They lived in small houses or apartments, and they often shared a common well or bathhouse. Plebeians were also responsible for paying taxes and serving in the military.

Despite their lack of privileges, plebeians played an important role in Roman society. They were the backbone of the economy, and they provided the soldiers who fought in Rome's wars. Plebeians also had a voice in government through the plebeian assemblies, which met to discuss and vote on important issues.

Over time, the plebeians gained more rights and privileges. In 494 BC, they won the right to elect their own tribunes, who could veto laws passed by the Senate. In 367 BC, they won the right to marry patricians, and in 287 BC, they were allowed to hold high office. By the end of the Roman Republic, plebeians had achieved full equality with patricians.