A Study On Patronage In The Early Roman Empire

As a kind of personal attachment relationship,patronage is common in ancient world.It is the product of economic development and social stratification.Patronage in ancient Rome is a unique social relationship,which probably originated from the “Clientela” in the period of Kings of Rome.It initially presented as a personal relationship between patron and client.Patronage in the early Roman Empire evolved on this basis,and its manifestations were more complex and diverse.It consists four main relationships: the relationship between the former master and his freedman,the relationship of the Roman nobility and the parasite,the relationship of the powerful Roman and the local communities,and the relationship of the pleader in court and his clients.They all retained the traditional traces and features to some extent.In addition,the emperor of Rome became the supreme protector when into the imperial period,a special protection system around him had formed.Patronage has become the ruler's tool to dominate society.This paper attempts to analyze and study the development of the patronage in the early Rome Empire by using the research methods and theories of history,anthropology,sociology and other disciplines.The text is divided into three chapters.The first chapter mainly introduces the formation and development of the patronage between the period of Rex and Republic in Rome,and explores the definition of patronage.The second chapter is the focus of this article,mainly introduces the types of patronage in the early Rome Imperial and the development of each.The third chapter mainly discusses the features and social functions of patronage in the early Imperial.Patronage has played an important role in the social development of the early Rome Empire.Played a role in maintaining order,promoting social mobility and enhancing social cohesion,which is of great significance to the ruling class and the people at the bottom of the society.