freedmen
- Created by: Grace Moorhouse
- Created on: 03-06-15 10:51
View mindmap
- freedmen/ libertini
- manumission restrictions
- former slaves freed by masters- those freed were usually the most trusted and intelligent.
- there was a tax on manumissions and other discriminatory legislation was passed by Augustus to restrict their numbers, proportion of freedmen to free-born was very high.
- once manumiteed they took citizenship of former master but still were not regarded as fully privileged Roman citizens.
- there had been riots and unrest due to the issues of the Plebs Rustica (peasants from Italian countryside) and Plebs Urbana- (those who recieved grain dole).
- Plebs Rustica- shortage of land and debts
- plebs urbana- food shortage and unemployment.
- most unrest ceased under augustus due to better policing of the city (3 urban cohorts, 7 cohorts of vigiles)
- efficient management of corn supply after AD6
- numerous games given
- public works- led to steady employment
- lots of members of peasant families joining the armies.
- veteran colonies- providing land- other veterans receiving cash to buy lands elsewhere.
- status of freedmen
- advantages
- ex master protected freedmens legal interest
- admitted to guilds which they often organised.
- permitted to intermarry with freeborn.
- could serve in vigiles.
- monopolised priesthoods of non-roman deities- 7BC wardmasters for lares.
- prominent part in cult of worshipping rome and augustus.
- could obtain freeborn status- presentation of gold ring by A. made them eligible for equestrian class.
- disadvantages
- continued to woe former masters obligations
- unable to hold magistracy
- forbidden to serve as priests
- could not serve as soldier in praetorian guard, legions or urban cohorts.
- expected to wear a special cap.
- forbidden to intermarry with senatorial class.
- advantages
- careers available
- could be artisans, messengers for magistrates, attendants, clerks and shopkeepers.
- could perform secretarial jobs in household of master.
- some became wealthy in business- especially those from Syria.
- more fortunate were those who were part of Augustus' household. personal freedmen used to manage finance. they became influential civil servants.
- manumission restrictions
Comments
No comments have yet been made