16. Citizenship Describe the different roles of citizens and non- citizens in the Roman Empire, especially as the roles pertain to civic participation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_citizenship
To understand the different roles of citizens and non-citizens in the Roman Empire, we need to delve into the concept of Roman citizenship and how it affected civic participation.
1. Roman Citizenship:
In ancient Rome, citizenship was a legal status that granted certain rights and obligations to individuals. Initially, Roman citizenship was limited to free-born male residents of Rome and some Italian cities. However, as the empire expanded, citizenship was gradually extended to other territories and peoples.
2. Rights of Citizens:
Citizens enjoyed several privileges, including the right to vote, hold public office, and engage in legal proceedings. They also had protection under Roman law, could serve in the military, and were subject to taxation based on their wealth.
3. Civic Participation of Citizens:
Citizens were actively involved in the political life of the Roman Empire. They had the right to participate in assemblies, such as the popular assemblies (comitia) and the Senate, where they could propose and vote on legislation. They could also hold various public offices, including magistrates, senators, and members of the Senate.
4. Non-citizens (Peregrini and Slaves):
Non-citizens in the Roman Empire were primarily divided into two categories: peregrini (foreigners) and slaves.
- Peregrini: Peregrini were free people from outside Rome or Roman-ruled territories who did not possess Roman citizenship. They had limited rights and were subject to Roman law but were not allowed to hold public office or vote in Roman elections. However, they could engage in commercial activities and benefit from legal protection.
- Slaves: Slaves were considered property and did not possess any legal rights or privileges. They were owned by Roman citizens and were not allowed to participate in civic life. Slavery played a substantial role in the Roman Empire's economy and society, but slaves had no direct involvement in governance or civic participation.
In summary, citizens in the Roman Empire enjoyed significant rights and actively participated in civic life by voting, holding public office, and engaging in legal and political processes. Non-citizens, including peregrini and slaves, had limited rights and were excluded from direct participation in governance and civic affairs. By understanding the distinctions between citizens and non-citizens, we gain insight into the social and political fabric of the Roman Empire.