Civis romanus sum. When did this simple sentence affirming one’s identity become a status statement implying that one was guaranteed certain rights and duties because they held Roman citizenship? Surely those that lived in the tiny Latin village located on the south side of the Tiber River in the 9th century BCE did not envision the vast empire that would one day dominate the Mediterranean region and become the

Roman Empire. The concept of Roman citizenship took on a life of its own when the

Roman Republic emerged and the population began to have a say in matters. The Roman military conquests and the expansion of the Empire further defined citizenship as all free inhabitants of the Empire were now considered Roman. To have Roman citizenship was to share in the glory of Rome.

The early settlers in this area considered themselves to be part of pastoral societies that were linked together through language and kinship. There were many different ethnic groups that shared the Italian Peninsula and they each considered themselves to be members of the cities they founded throughout Italy. The concept of citizen most likely defined them as part of that culture and assigned them an economic role in society and a responsibility to defend their territory. Legend tells of Romulus and

Remus defeating an evil king and founding the city of Rome in 753 BCE. Romulus succeeded as the first king after slaying his twin brother. A long line of different ethnic kings followed until 509 BCE when a popular uprising established Rome as a republic, ruled by annually elected magistrates. These magistrates usually came from the senate, which was dominated by the patrician class. This was a tiny segment of the population that descended from the original senators during the time of Romulus. The common people of Rome were known as plebeians and they did not have political and economic clout or power. Being a resident and citizen in the city of Rome did not afford any privileges to the majority at this time.

The plebeian class eventually achieved some political power with the establishment of tribunes, which allowed them to have a say in legislation. The Twelve

Tables, the first Roman law code that was introduced in 450 BCE, established rights, relationships, and procedures that became the basis for all Roman law. Citizenship was now broadly applied to those who lived in Rome. With this designation came privileges, rights, and duties; Romans had to serve in the army, pay taxes, and vote in the assembly.

They were allowed to hold public office and to legally appeal matters. Marriage rights and the ability to trade with other Roman citizens were guaranteed as well.

Political power still rested in the Senate, which was dominated by the wealthy patrician and plebian families but Rome itself was establishing control of the peninsula through military victories. After victory in the Punic Wars and Macedonia, the Roman state had grown tremendously in size and power. Rome now had control of Sicily, most of Spain, the majority of the western Mediterranean and even a province in Northern

Africa. In a move to establish and preserve unity of its empire, citizenship was granted to all conquered peoples. An alliance was formed with the new territory. This gave them all the rights and duties of a Roman and afforded them the protection of the Empire as well.

The conquered population fell into four general classes: Citizens, Municipia,

Latin Allies, and Italian Allies. Citizens had all of the rights and privileges of those born in Rome. The Municipia were considered citizens and had the right to govern themselves, trade, serve in the army, and pay taxes. They were not allowed to vote

2 however. The conquered peoples who were designated as Latin Allies were not considered citizens. They were allowed to self-govern, trade within the Empire, and were required to provide military legions but citizenship privileges were not extended. Italian

Allies were not granted citizenship either, but were offered military protection and allowed to trade within the empire. They were allowed to govern themselves as well.

Who could become a Roman citizen now? All children born in a legal marriage of a Roman citizen were deemed citizens themselves. People from conquered Latin states were eventually granted citizenship. Children of freed slaves enjoyed the privileges of being a citizen. Auxulia and their children were rewarded with citizenship after their service ended. Those who performed outstanding service for the empire were granted citizenship. Wealthy individuals could even buy citizenship for a very large sum. By the third century AD, Emperor Caracalla issued the Constitutio Antoniniana, which declared all free male inhabitants of the empire to be granted citizenship.

What were the privileges of being a Roman citizen? Foremost was the right to vote in the Republic, to have a say in political matters and the course of government.

Citizens could make legal contracts and could have lawful marriages. They had the right to defend themselves at trial and could not be tortured. They could not be sentenced to die on the cross; they were beheaded instead. It was a privilege to serve in the Roman legions and citizens were afforded this opportunity. By granting citizenship to conquered territories, the Romans assimilated the defeated people into their own culture and society.

Then risk of revolt was minimized as the new citizens enjoyed Pax Romana, protection from other aggressors, and a degree of freedom. They now shared in the glory of Rome

3 including its thriving economy, extensive trade network, and its technological infrastructure of roads, bridges, and aqueducts.

Being a Roman citizen was not all glory however. The conquered peoples lost all their cultural identity as any sense of nationality or ethnicity was erased, as they were now Romans. They were forced to pay taxes to the empire. They were required to serve in the military. They were not entirely free as they had been before the Roman invasion.

The Roman way and the Latin language spread throughout the Italian peninsula and a unified Republic dominated the Mediterranean world.

The Roman Empire united different ethnic and cultural backgrounds under the concept of citizenship. This allowed for Rome’s expansion and domination that began in the 5th century BCE. All areas were now bound to Rome politically, economically, and culturally. Citizenship provided an alliance that united autonomous peoples and lands far from the center of Rome. It was a brilliant strategy that provided for the success of the

Empire.

4 Works Cited

"About Roma..." Rome: The Roman Empire and Its Citizens. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb.

2014.

"Apostle Paul's Roman Citizenship." Apostle Paul's Roman Citizenship. N.p., n.d. Web.

13 Feb. 2014.

Roman Citizenship (Illustrated History of Ancient Rome - Bible History Online. N.p., n.d.

Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

"Roman Empire & Colosseum." Roman Colosseum. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

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