Patronage in ancient Rome
Encyclopedia
Patronage was the distinctive relationship in ancient Roman society
between the patronus (plural patroni, "patron") and his client (cliens, plural clientes). The relationship was hierarchical, but obligations were mutual. The patronus was the protector, sponsor, and benefactor of the client. Benefits a patron might confer include legal representation in court, loans of money, influencing business deals or marriages, and supporting a client's candidacy for political office
or a priesthood
. In return, the client was expected to offer his services to his patron as needed. A patron and client might hold the same social rank, but the former would possess greater wealth, power, or prestige that enabled him to help or do favors for the client.
The relationship was not a discrete unit, but a network, as a patronus might himself be obligated to someone of higher status or greater power, and a cliens might have more than one patron, whose interests could come into conflict. While the Roman familia ("family," but more broadly the "household") was the building block of society, interlocking networks of patronage created highly complex social bonds. Although one of the major spheres of activity within patron-client relations was the law courts
, clientela was not itself a legal contract; the pressures to uphold one's obligations were moral, founded on the quality of fides
, "trust," and the mos maiorum
, "ancestral custom." Patronage was believed by the Romans to have been invented by Romulus
and hence to date to the very founding of Rome
. In the earliest periods, patricians would have served as patrons; both patricius, "patrician," and patronus are related to the Latin word pater, "father," in this sense symbolically, indicating the patriarchal
nature of Roman society.
When a slave
was manumitted
, the former owner became his or her patron. The freedman
or freedwoman had social obligations to the patron, which might involve campaigning on his behalf if he ran for election, doing requested jobs or errands, or continuing a sexual relationship that began in servitude. In return, the patron was expected to ensure a certain degree of material security for his client. Allowing one's clients to become destitute or entangled in unjust legal proceedings would reflect poorly on the patron and diminish his prestige.
Various professional and other corporations, such as collegia
and sodalitates, awarded statutory titles such as patronus or pater patratus to benefactors. In the late Republic, patronage served as a model when conquerors or governors
abroad established personal ties as patron to whole communities, ties which then might be perpetuated as a family obligation. This form of patronage in turn contributed to the new role created by Augustus
as sole ruler after the collapse of the Republic, when he cultivated an image as the patron of the Empire
as a whole.
. By the 10th century, clientela meant a contingent of armed retainers ready to enforce their lord
's will. A young man serving in a military capacity, separate from the entourage that constituted a noble's familia
or "household", might be termed a vavasor in documents.
Social class in ancient Rome
Social class in ancient Rome was hierarchical, but there were multiple and overlapping social hierarchies. The status of free-born Romans was established by:* ancestry ;...
between the patronus (plural patroni, "patron") and his client (cliens, plural clientes). The relationship was hierarchical, but obligations were mutual. The patronus was the protector, sponsor, and benefactor of the client. Benefits a patron might confer include legal representation in court, loans of money, influencing business deals or marriages, and supporting a client's candidacy for political office
Roman Magistrates
The Roman Magistrates were elected officials in Ancient Rome. During the period of the Roman Kingdom, the King of Rome was the principal executive magistrate. His power, in practice, was absolute. He was the chief priest, lawgiver, judge, and the sole commander of the army...
or a priesthood
College of Pontiffs
The College of Pontiffs or Collegium Pontificum was a body of the ancient Roman state whose members were the highest-ranking priests of the polytheistic state religion. The college consisted of the Pontifex Maximus, the Vestal Virgins, the Rex Sacrorum, and the flamines...
. In return, the client was expected to offer his services to his patron as needed. A patron and client might hold the same social rank, but the former would possess greater wealth, power, or prestige that enabled him to help or do favors for the client.
The relationship was not a discrete unit, but a network, as a patronus might himself be obligated to someone of higher status or greater power, and a cliens might have more than one patron, whose interests could come into conflict. While the Roman familia ("family," but more broadly the "household") was the building block of society, interlocking networks of patronage created highly complex social bonds. Although one of the major spheres of activity within patron-client relations was the law courts
Roman law
Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, and the legal developments which occurred before the 7th century AD — when the Roman–Byzantine state adopted Greek as the language of government. The development of Roman law comprises more than a thousand years of jurisprudence — from the Twelve...
, clientela was not itself a legal contract; the pressures to uphold one's obligations were moral, founded on the quality of fides
Fides
In Roman religion, Fides was the goddess of trust.Her temple on the Capitol was where the Roman Senate signed and kept state treaties with foreign countries, and where Fides protected them....
, "trust," and the mos maiorum
Mos maiorum
The mos maiorum is the unwritten code from which the ancient Romans derived their social norms. It is the core concept of Roman traditionalism, distinguished from but in dynamic complement to written law. The mos maiorum The mos maiorum ("ancestral custom") is the unwritten code from which the...
, "ancestral custom." Patronage was believed by the Romans to have been invented by Romulus
Romulus
- People:* Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome* Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor* Valerius Romulus , deified son of the Roman emperor Maxentius* Romulus , son of the Western Roman emperor Anthemius...
and hence to date to the very founding of Rome
Founding of Rome
The founding of Rome is reported by many legends, which in recent times are beginning to be supplemented by scientific reconstructions.- Development of the city :...
. In the earliest periods, patricians would have served as patrons; both patricius, "patrician," and patronus are related to the Latin word pater, "father," in this sense symbolically, indicating the patriarchal
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which the role of the male as the primary authority figure is central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination...
nature of Roman society.
When a slave
Slavery in ancient Rome
The institution of slavery in ancient Rome played an important role in society and the Roman economy. Besides manual labor on farms and in mines, slaves performed many domestic services and a variety of other tasks, such as accounting...
was manumitted
Manumission
Manumission is the act of a slave owner freeing his or her slaves. In the United States before the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished most slavery, this often happened upon the death of the owner, under conditions in his will.-Motivations:The...
, the former owner became his or her patron. The freedman
Freedman
A freedman is a former slave who has been released from slavery, usually by legal means. Historically, slaves became freedmen either by manumission or emancipation ....
or freedwoman had social obligations to the patron, which might involve campaigning on his behalf if he ran for election, doing requested jobs or errands, or continuing a sexual relationship that began in servitude. In return, the patron was expected to ensure a certain degree of material security for his client. Allowing one's clients to become destitute or entangled in unjust legal proceedings would reflect poorly on the patron and diminish his prestige.
Various professional and other corporations, such as collegia
Collegium (ancient Rome)
In Ancient Rome, a collegium was any association with a legal personality. Such associations had various functions.-Functioning:...
and sodalitates, awarded statutory titles such as patronus or pater patratus to benefactors. In the late Republic, patronage served as a model when conquerors or governors
Roman governor
A Roman governor was an official either elected or appointed to be the chief administrator of Roman law throughout one or more of the many provinces constituting the Roman Empire...
abroad established personal ties as patron to whole communities, ties which then might be perpetuated as a family obligation. This form of patronage in turn contributed to the new role created by Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
as sole ruler after the collapse of the Republic, when he cultivated an image as the patron of the Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
as a whole.
Late antiquity and early Middle Ages
The significance of clientela changed along with the social order during late antiquityLate Antiquity
Late Antiquity is a periodization used by historians to describe the time of transition from Classical Antiquity to the Middle Ages, in both mainland Europe and the Mediterranean world. Precise boundaries for the period are a matter of debate, but noted historian of the period Peter Brown proposed...
. By the 10th century, clientela meant a contingent of armed retainers ready to enforce their lord
Lord
Lord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
's will. A young man serving in a military capacity, separate from the entourage that constituted a noble's familia
Medieval household
The medieval household was, like modern households, the centre of family life for all classes of European society. Yet in contrast to the household of today, it consisted of many more individuals than the nuclear family...
or "household", might be termed a vavasor in documents.
Further reading
- Ernst BadianErnst BadianErnst Badian was an Austrian-born classical scholar who served as a professor at Harvard University from 1971 to 1998....
, Foreign Clientelae (Oxford University Press, 1959). - John Rich, editor, Patronage in Ancient Society (Routledge, 1990).
- R.P. Saller, Personal Patronage in the Roman Empire (Cambridge University Press, 1984).
External link
- The Roman Client (Smith's Dictionary, 1875) at LacusCurtius