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Patriciado is the name with which the social class most important and wealthiest in the history of Rome. His name is related to the word 'pater' (Latin for father) since in Ancient Rome the presence of the family and the father of the family was always central to their culture. The patricians (those who were part of the patriciate) considered themselves direct descendants of those first fathers who had founded the city of Rome in 753 BC and from whom the civilization Roman came into being.

Throughout Roman history, the patricians were always the most important social sector. Although at times they had to face attacks that sought to expropriate their power, they always remained at the top of the importance, power and wealth in Ancient Rome. So much so that it was from among them that the first Roman kings were chosen, those who formed and ruled during the monarchical period (753 to 509 BC). They were also the only ones who could form the Senate, the institution

politics more important since he had the last word in all decisions, whether they were political, social, cultural, economic or religious.

Although during the republican period (which ran from 509 until a few years before the birth of Christ) the senators had to share political positions with the people (that is, with the commoners), this could never agree to be part of the Senate, being their institutions more numerous but less relevant. Finally, during the imperial period (from before the birth of Christ to 476 AD), the patricians formally lost their power to to the emperors, but they always remained the most important and powerful citizens of Rome thanks to their wealth and for being the ones who advised the rulers.

The patricians, in addition to having social privileges established for centuries, also had all kinds of wealth since they were the owners of large estates in which the production wheat, wine and other highly sought after products was the main activity. The patricians were also those who were enriched by wars since they were part of the army and Rome being a military power, there is no doubt that the patricians benefited from such situation. The Roman patricians would later transform, once the Roman empire, in the nobles and feudal knights.

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