Upon reaching the government of Rome, Caio Otávio had great skill in carrying out a series of reforms that changed the characteristics of the administration and economy in the country. In this sense, he aimed to strengthen the new order without, for that, necessarily disposing of authoritarian power devices. In this respect, it ended up interfering in the organization of society at that time by establishing new criteria for classification among Roman citizens.
For a long time, the determination of political and individual rights were carried out through the birth of each Roman. It was for this reason that, during a part of the republican period, the commoners, even though they were enriched with crafts and commerce, did not enjoy the same rights as the patricians. Over time, this type of differentiation led to a series of revolts that left Roman society at the mercy of disagreements and instability.
Aiming to overcome such structure, the emperor Otávio Augusto determined a new social order based on the economic condition presented by each one of the individuals. Thus, the Senatorial, Equestrian and Inferior orders were created. Following such hierarchy, the Senatorial Order was basically composed of citizens who could prove an income in excess of one million sesterces, a silver coin used in the Roman economy of that era.
Members of the Senatorial order could run for the most important public offices existing in Rome and differed from others by wearing a purple stripe on their robes. Soon after, those belonging to the Equestrian Order constituted an intermediate class that would have to prove an income in excess of four hundred thousand sesterces. With such a fortune, he would have the right to vote and hold some of the public offices available.
Finally, the Lower Order, whoever had an income of less than four hundred thousand sesterces, had various rights, but could not hold public office or interfere in any of the elections organized in the era. In a quick observation, we see that the imperial regime determined greater privileges to those who had a more advantaged economic condition. However, the prosperity of the first centuries did not open the door to rebellions of greater impact.
In addition to these political actions, Emperor Octavius Augustus also imposed a series of laws that sought to interfere with Roman customs. According to him, prosperity brought a situation of "relaxation of customs" that could cause the ruin of the entire population. In this way, he encouraged the growth of Roman families, the settlement of population in rural areas, and punishment of women who committed adultery.
By Rainer Sousa
Master in History
Brazil School Team
Ancient Rome - Old age
General history - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiag/a-organizacao-social-imperio-romano.htm