Patricians, << puh TRIHSH uhnz, >> were aristocrats of the early Roman Republic (509-264 B.C.). The word patrician comes from the Latin word pater (father), which was used to describe members of the Roman Senate. Patricians belonged to wealthy families and were proud of their distinguished ancestors. They controlled the government, army, and state religion. They resisted attempts of the plebeians (commoners) to share their power. Until 445 B.C., a plebeian could not marry a patrician.
The two classes struggled for power for more than 200 years. During this time, the plebeians increased in numbers and in wealth, and the number of patricians grew smaller. The patricians were forced to allow plebeians to hold more and higher positions. By 287 B.C., they could hold almost any civil or religious office, and could pass laws that affected everyone. The patricians and wealthy plebeians joined to form a new nobility, based on descent from high state officials.
Many patrician families died out between 133 B.C. and 27 B.C., the year the Roman Republic ended. Many emperors created new patricians, but the title was only an honor and carried no privileges.
