Criticism and Legal Checks
Despite its authoritarian nature, the Roman state exhibited elements of criticism and legal restraint. The emergence of Roman law by the fourth century acted as a check on imperial authority, protecting civil rights and curbing excessive power wielded by emperors. Powerful figures like Bishop Ambrose could challenge imperial oppression, demonstrating the efficacy of legal mechanisms in safeguarding against tyranny.
Chapter 2: Social Hierarchies| Class 11 History Notes
Tacitus offers a nuanced depiction of social classes in the early Roman Empire, delineating between senators, members of the equestrian class, the respectable populace associated with great houses, the lower class engrossed in entertainment, and slaves. However, by the late empire, significant shifts occurred, with the consolidation of senators and equites into a unified aristocracy, dominated by families of African or eastern origin.
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