In the Roman Empire, the quality of life at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder was very poor. Plebeians, who encompassed the lowest level of society suffered greatly in the Roman Empire in contrast to the wealth and status enjoyed by the elites. It was rare for a commoner to reach old age, and skeletal analysis of Plebeians in the ancient Roman Empire showed a high rate of infant mortality . While Elite individuals did not undergo manual labor, the Plebeians were subjected to harsh working conditions, poor living conditions and the malnutrition and undernutrition that comes along with famine . In the Roman Empire, plebeians were not afforded much in the way of social mobility, as they were not allowed to marry out of their low class into the wealthier patrician
In the Roman Empire, the quality of life at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder was very poor. Plebeians, who encompassed the lowest level of society suffered greatly in the Roman Empire in contrast to the wealth and status enjoyed by the elites. It was rare for a commoner to reach old age, and skeletal analysis of Plebeians in the ancient Roman Empire showed a high rate of infant mortality . While Elite individuals did not undergo manual labor, the Plebeians were subjected to harsh working conditions, poor living conditions and the malnutrition and undernutrition that comes along with famine . In the Roman Empire, plebeians were not afforded much in the way of social mobility, as they were not allowed to marry out of their low class into the wealthier patrician