Ancient Rome - Social Hierarchy & Slaves

T/F: Ancient Rome had a more developed social hierarchy than those civilizations we studied earlier in history like the four River Valley civilizations.

• True

• False

Who was at the top of the social hierarchy in Ancient Rome?

• Patricians

• King & Royal Family

• Plebeians

• Emperor

What was the emperor's role in Ancient Rome? Check ALL that apply.

• Absolute Ruler of Roman Empire

• Chosen based on their abilities to be an emperor

• Chosen based on being born into the right family

• Lived in the best villas, ate the best food, and worse the best clothes

• Wanted to get rid of slavery

Which group of people were directly under the emperor on the Ancient Roman social pyramid?

• Plebeians

• Patricians

• Equestrians

• Freedmen

Explain the role of the patricians in the Roman Empire. Check all that apply.

• These families provided the empire’s political, religious, and military leadership.

• Young men were educated

• They COULD NOT be a Senator

• They HAD to serve in the military

• Only patricians could become emperor

What group of people were directly under the patricians/members of Senate on the social pyramid in Ancient Rome?

• Plebeians

• Freedmen

• Equestrians

• Slaves

What is the role of the equestrians in the Ancient Roman Empire? Check ALL that apply.

• They could move up to the patrician class if they became wealthy enough.

• Their work revolved around the business roles within the empire.

• They had jobs like tax collectors, bankers, miners, exporters, and managing road building/construction projects.

• The could not move up to the patrician class, regardless of how much wealth they had.

What group of people were directly under the equestrians in the social pyramid in the Roman Empire?

• Gladiators

• Freedmen

• Women

• Plebeians

What is the role of the plebeians in the Ancient Roman Empire? Check ALL that apply.

• They did not have to pay taxes.

• They had to pay taxes.

• They were the smallest group of people in the Ancient Roman Empire.

• Plebeians were average working citizens of Rome – farmers, bakers, builders or craftsmen.

• A few plebeians did manage to have slaves.

What group of people were directly underneath the plebeians in the Ancient Roman social hierarchy?

• Slaves

• Freedmen

• Women

• Gladiators