PATRICIAN (Let. patrieias, from pater, father), a name given to the members of Roman genies, of whom the populus Romanus consisted, and to their descendants by blood and adoption. Palms, and patricii were in the early days of Rome synonymous; they were so named from the patrocinium which they exercised over the whole state, and all classes of whom it was composed. Niebultr's researches have established that, until the plebs became a distinct order, the patricians were the entire citizens or populus of Rome; a select number of them were senators; and the original inhabitants, reduced to a condition of servitude, were known by the name of elientes or plebs. The amalgama tion of the three tribes of Ramnes, Titles, and Luceres, gave rise to a distinction between majorant gentium and patres minorum gentinm—the latter term being applied to families recently elevated to an equality with the old patrician class. On the establish ment 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 ai new aristocracy of nnbiles based on wealth and office. Under Constantine the dignity of patricius became a personal title; not hereditary, but conferring very high honor and certain privileges. It was created at Constantinople, and not confined to Romans or subjects of the empire, but sometimes bestowed on foreign princes.. These patricians, unlike the old Roman order, were distinguished in dress and equipage from the ordinary citizens.. The popes in after times conferred the same title on eminent persons and princes, including many of the German emperors. In several of the Germanic kingdoms the title of patrician was bestowed on distinguished subjects; and in some parts of Italy the hereditary nobility are still styled patricians.