Patrician

Patrician (Lat. patricius, from pater, 'father'), a name given to the members of Roman gentes of whom the populus Romanus originally consisted, and to their descendants by blood and adoption. On the establishment of the plebeians as a distinct order, sharing certain rights with the patricians, the patriciate became an aristocracy of birth, in the exclusive possession of a number of important privileges. A long struggle between the two orders ended in the attainment by the plebeians of a political equality, and the establishment of a new aristocracy of nobiles based on wealth and office (see NOBILITY, ROME). Under Constantine the dignity of patricius became a personal title; not hereditary, but conferring very high honour and certain privileges. The popes in after times conferred the same title on eminent persons and princes; and elsewhere also the title of patrician was bestowed on distinguished subjects.