Romans were divided among different classes of people: Aristocracy (Patricians), Plebeians, and slaves

The wealthy Romans lived in luxury (Country Villa Estates)

The Aristocrats had slaves to do their work so they could focus on business, politics, and hobbies

The rich ate meats and fine foods (fancy banquets with exotic foods)

Poor Romans lived in simple homes, or on small farms

Small farmers would lose (through buyouts) whatever little land they had to wealthy landowners (these Plebeians would have to go find work in the city)

Displaced farmers would have to live in overcrowded buildings and worked simple jobs for very little money

The poor ate cheap bowls of food (porridge, bread, or vegetables)

Only super rich Romans had kitchens in their homes (even the slightly wealthy had to rely on restaurants for food)

The Plebeians gained power and political control in 287 B.C.

The Plebeians gained political equality when the Council of Plebs was allowed to make laws for all citizens (especially the Plebeians)

Even with this power, the Patricians dominated Roman society

The largest class in the Roman Class System was the slaves

They had little to no rights

Slaves were considered property

Rome acquired slaves through war and trade

Slaves did housework, construction, and agriculture

Skilled slaves were craftspeople

Educated slaves were teachers, doctors, business managers (they worked for the wealthy families)

Some slaves were treated okay, but others were mistreated very badly

Sometimes the slaves would rebel against its masters

The most famous slave rebel was Spartacus (he led a rebellion around 73 B.C.)

He led his rebels for about two years

He and 6,000 of his rebel followers were finally caught and executed as a warning to others