_Other Divisions of the Roman People._
That the Patricians and Plebeians might be connected together by the
strictest bonds, Romulus ordained that every Plebeian should choose from
the Patricians any one he pleased, for his patron or protector, whose
client he was called.
It was the duty of the patron to advise and defend his client, and to
assist him with his interest and substance. The client was obliged to
pay the greatest respect to his patron, and to serve him with his life
and fortune in any extremity.
It was unlawful for patrons and clients to accuse or bear witness
against each other, and whoever was found to have done so, might be
slain by any one with impunity as a victim to Pluto, and the infernal
gods.
It was esteemed highly honorable for a Patrician to have numerous
clients, both hereditary and acquired by his own merit. In after times,
even cities and whole nations were under the protection of illustrious
Roman families.
Those whose ancestors or themselves had borne any curule magistracy,
that is, had been Consul, Praetor, Censor or Curule Edile, were called
nobiles, and had the right of making images of themselves, which were
kept with great care by their posterity, and carried before them at
funerals.
These images were merely the busts of persons down to the shoulders,
made of wax, and painted, which they used to place in the courts of
their houses, enclosed in wooden cases, and seem not to have brought
out, except on solemn occasions. There were titles or inscriptions
written below them, pointing out the honors they had enjoyed, and the
exploits they had performed. Anciently, this right of images was
peculiar to the Patricians; but afterwards, the Plebeians also acquired
it, when admitted to curule offices.
Those who were the first of their family, that had raised themselves to
any curule office, were called _homines novi_, new men or upstarts.
Those who had no images of themselves, or of their ancestors, were
called _ignobiles_.
Those who favored the interests of the Senate were called optimates, and
sometimes proc{)}eres or principes. Those who studied to gain the favor
of the multitude, were called populares, of whatever order they were.
This was a division of factions, and not of rank or dignity. The
contests between these two parties, excited the greatest commotions in
the state, which finally terminated in the extinction of liberty.