In Russian, the word "plebeian" has acquired a clearly negative, neglectful meaning. But does she deserve such an attitude? Is the term "plebeian" a synonym for the concepts of "limit", "gopot" or the apt Russian expression "pork snout" (with which, as you know, you can’t join the ranks)? Yes and no. In order to understand this complex concept, you need to delve into the history of Ancient Rome, and more precisely, during the founding of the Eternal City. Then there were no patricians and plebeians, slaves and their masters. But there were already some prerequisites for their appearance.
The end of the Golden Age
When Romulus, fed by a she-wolf, founded the city on one of the hills of present-day Rome, he outlined its borders with a plow. Inside this circle, he settled people who began to be called citizens. This social formation was governed by senators - mature husbands who enjoyed authority among the people. They were called senex - the Elders, or patres - the Fathers. Later these words turned into “Senators” and “Patricia”. The latter were called both children and grandchildren of senators.
A century later, it was a real caste, which markedly rose in standard of living and social status from other citizens of Rome. But a plebeian? This is who did not get lucky to live on a hill inside the circle outlined by Romulus. They were not considered citizens, did not have the right to use communal lands. This does not mean that they were poor. No, there were among them those who succeeded in life and were able to buy a plot of land for themselves. They could be artisans and small traders. But these people did not have the rights of citizens.
How did the plebeians appear?
The population of the Eternal City grew indefatigably not only due to natural growth. It was replenished with slaves who were brought from military campaigns as trophies. But there were also voluntary immigrants. They came to Rome in search of a better life, income, and market. The indigenous inhabitants of the city — the descendants of their fathers — began to call these “come-togethers” “plebs” (from the Latin word plere, which means “to fill”).
Initially, this alien population lived outside the walls of Rome, that is, it was not protected from possible enemy attacks. But later they were allowed to settle within the city. Then the definition of "plebeian" has changed somewhat. This word denoted a person of a free estate, enjoying economic, but not civil and political rights.
Plebei - who is this?
The citizens of ancient Rome adored caste. The rights and obligations of the tribes - classes were elaborated in detail. The uninhabited immigrant population - the plebeians - were divided ethnically into Latins, Etruscans, and Sabines. They occupied an intermediate stage between the "Roman people" (the descendants of albeit impoverished, but patricians) and slaves who had no rights and were treated as a thing in the legal sense.
This social situation did not quite suit the representatives of the plebs, who worked on an equal footing with citizens, served in the army, and therefore also wanted to take part in the life of the city and (later) the Republic. Therefore, from the V-III century BC, there was a fierce struggle for the rights of “limits”. And in the end she was successful. From the 3rd century BC e. to the question: “Plebeian - who is this?” - followed the proud answer: "A full member of the Roman People." For representatives of this class, debt slavery was abolished, and they gained access to elective positions in higher magistrates. The rich plebeians, along with the patricians, constituted nobility.
Suffrage, or “Bread and circuses!”
In the beginning, representatives of the urban poor achieved the opportunity to elect plebeian tribunes to the Council. These officials formed a special body - the plebiscite. A familiar word, isn't it? In 287 BC e. these new citizens demanded - and succeeded in this - that the decisions of this body became binding on all citizens of Rome. So the poorest and most powerless people have achieved their respect. And their active civic position helped them in this.
But later, during the time of the empire, in order to appease the plebs and distract him from social problems, the rulers of Rome began to distribute bread to the urban poor and arrange shows - gladiatorial fights. So since then it has gone: to derive joy from premium and television series on TVs, where state propaganda flows into the brains. Now guess: the plebeian is who?