Roman society is hierarchical from "summary" of The Annals & The Histories by Tacitus
Roman society was divided into varying classes and each had a distinct place within the hierarchy. The upper classes were typically privileged with access to more resources and higher social standing, while the lower classes were often restricted and viewed as less important.- Different classes of Ancient Roman citizens had different rights and privileges. Those at the top of the hierarchy enjoyed greater levels of freedom while those at the bottom were mainly confined to manual labour.
- Rome was an ancient civilization that placed a significant importance on its hierarchical social structure. In Ancient Roman society, people were divided into groups determined by their wealth and political power.
- The lower rankers in Ancient Rome had fewer freedoms concerning voting and the expression of their opinion as compared to those of higher rankings.
- Each class within the society fulfilled various roles and obligations to ensure the stability of the overall system. For instance, members of the upper class served as teachers, judges and military leaders, reinforcing the existing order.
- Indeed, Rome emphasized the concept of a "Great Chain of Being", through which each level was vital for the whole chain, every single link dependent on another. Without this balance and restraint, those with high positions may be vulnerable to negative effects from shifts in the balance of power.
- Certain controversial social issues such as marriage outside one's rank marked a threat to the traditional order. This led to marriages being regulated or outright banned in order to guarantee the preservation of said spoken role-assignment.