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The patricians were the Roman aristocratic class who's heritage could be traced back to the Senators appointed during the Roman period of monarchic rule. The patricians were the upper-class aristocratic citizens of Rome who had significant power and influence in government. The patricians were wealthy and generally held large portions …

The paterfamilias was the male leader and figurehead of the Italian family unit. The paterfamilias was thought to have absolute power over the family and was even considered to have the right to execute his children, though this rarely occurred. The paterfamilias passed from father to sons, upon death, and …

The consuls where the supreme executive officers of the Roman Republic, 509-264 BCE. The Romans believed that consuls held imperium, and thus were allowed rule over the Roman state, including the ability to make laws. Two consuls were selected annually to manage the government and lead the army. The consuls …

The Roman belief in the "right to command" is known as imperium. The Romans believed that certain officials and rulers such as their consuls and praetors held imperium, or the ability to command the military.

267 BCE -- A series of battles between Rome and King Pyrrhus of Epirus. As the Greeks came into contact with Rome, resulting from Roman expansion across the Italian Peninsula, they increasingly experienced conflict. The Greeks, who relied heavily on mercenaries, bought the aid of King Pyrrhus of Epirus to help …