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Patron-Client


lothia

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Ave Civitas,

 

  I am doing some research (for a novel) on the patron/client relationships.

I think I am correct that a client would petition a potential patron for acceptance.

My question is, was this client-patron relationship limited to Roman Citizens.  That is, could a foreigner petition a Roman to be accepted as a client?

 

Thanks in advance.

Tom

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Influential Romans were often patrons to non-citizens.  Any individual or community that had business with the Roman state always had one or more patrons among the senators to speak or use his clout on their behalf in the senate or the courts.  Men like Fabius, Pompey, Marcellus, Scipio et al had whole cities and kingdoms among their clientele. E Badian wrote a whole book about it (viz: Foreign Clientelae 264-70BC).  I'm not sure there was any formal application and acceptance though.

Edited by Pompieus
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