Citizenship in Ancient Rom (cives Romani) were the rulers of Rome. Citizens had the right to vote and to be a candidate, to sue another citizen and to be tried in case of charges. On the other hand, they had to pay taxes and fight for their country.
Still, the most important factor was their decision-making powers. Opportunity to choose the leaders of Rome and to shape its future … Because the political system delivered this power to the hands of people.
Individuals are voting as a member of the people they belong to, and their collective votes are counted.
In the Republican period, the right to full citizenship was combined only with a legal marriage and limited to men born from parents who were citizens; women, freed slaves, and members of the Latin-speaking local tribes had limited rights.
However, BC. Its 90th year saw a transformation on Roman citizenship: the Italian allies of Rome embarked on war to obtain citizenship – and the right to vote – for themselves.
This social war BC It ended in 88, when the Romans adopted a law that granted full citizenship to both Latinos and other allies. However, at the end of the century, there was an emperor at the beginning of Rome, and although citizens were still voting, their influence was reduced. Citizenship was radically redefined.
