Question

All of the following were considered to be commoners except __________.

Answer 1

The correct answer is farmers

Commoners, in their origin, comprised a layer of free workers who were not tied to the power and protection of landowners. Throughout Roman history, this class has suffered a strong marginalization of institutions and within Roman culture. Because they were not economically tied to large land holdings, the commoners devoted themselves to trade, crafts and free labor.

With the establishment of the Republic, the commoners were still a class without political rights. The first government agencies had only members of the Roman aristocracy. However, the expansion of economic activities in Rome meant that part of the plebeian class was enriched by trade. At the same time, many commoners did not support the punishments and demands of a governmental system where they had no representation.