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Simple English definitions for legal terms
patrician
Read a random definition: Hamdi v. Rumsfeld (2004)
A quick definition of patrician:
A patrician is a person who was part of a special group of citizens in ancient Rome. They were considered to be of a higher class than the regular citizens, called plebeians. Originally, being a patrician was only based on being born into a certain family. They had special privileges, like being able to hold important religious positions. However, over time, their privileges were taken away and anyone could become a senator. Emperors could also give someone the title of patrician as an honor. Eventually, the idea of being a patrician disappeared.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A patrician is a member of a privileged class of Roman citizens, as opposed to plebeians. Originally, the rank was probably only by birth. They monopolized all the priesthoods and their class was probably defined by religious prerogatives, but membership in the senate was not confined to patricians. They lost their monopolies by B.C. 300, but one consul continued to be a patrician, and they held at least half the priestly offices. Emperors could and did confer patrician status on favored individuals. The hereditary patricians disappeared in the third century A.D., but later emperors revived the title as a personal honor for faithful service.
Example: In ancient Rome, patricians were a small group of wealthy and powerful families who held most of the political power. They were considered to be of higher social status than the plebeians, who were the common people.
Explanation: This example illustrates how patricians were a privileged class of Roman citizens who held most of the political power. They were considered to be of higher social status than the plebeians, who were the common people. The patricians monopolized all the priesthoods and held at least half the priestly offices. They lost their monopolies by B.C. 300, but one consul continued to be a patrician. Emperors could and did confer patrician status on favored individuals, and the hereditary patricians disappeared in the third century A.D.