Patricians held most of the power in Rome. They were the only ones who could be elected to the Senate, which was the most powerful governing body in Rome. They also held most of the land and wealth.
Plebeians made up the majority of the Roman population. They were farmers, merchants, artisans, and laborers. They had few rights and were often discriminated against by the patricians.
Over time, the plebeians gained more rights and power. In 494 BC, they won the right to elect their own representatives, called *tribunes*. The tribunes could veto laws passed by the Senate and protect the rights of the plebeians.
In 367 BC, the plebeians won the right to marry patricians. This broke down some of the social barriers between the two classes.
In 287 BC, the plebeians won the right to be elected to the Senate. This made them equal to the patricians in terms of political power.
By the end of the Roman Republic, the distinction between patricians and plebeians had largely disappeared. All Roman citizens had the same rights and opportunities.