What three words beginning with the letter "P" describe the ruling class, the common people, and the poorest class of ancient Rome.

Ancient Rome's society was structured into distinct hierarchical classes, with three key groups beginning with the letter "P" defining the ruling elite, the common populace, and the poorest citizens. These terms offer a concise way to understand the complex social stratification of the Roman world.

At the top were the Patricians, who constituted the aristocratic ruling class. They were typically wealthy, land-owning families who held significant political power, often serving as priests, consuls, and senators. Their status was largely hereditary, with many claiming descent from the original founding families of Rome. Below them were the Plebeians, the common people who made up the majority of the Roman citizenry. This group included farmers, laborers, artisans, and merchants. Initially, Plebeians had limited political rights and were excluded from holding high office or intermarrying with Patricians. However, through a prolonged struggle known as the "Conflict of the Orders," they gradually gained more rights and influence, eventually achieving greater representation in the government.

The third significant class, particularly representing the poorest, was the Proletariat. This term, derived from the Latin word "proles" meaning offspring, referred to citizens who owned little to no property and whose primary contribution to the state was their children, serving as future citizens and soldiers. The proletariat often faced limited opportunities for employment, especially with the rise of slavery, and were sometimes appeased by the state with "bread and circuses" – free grain and entertainment – to prevent unrest. These three classes highlight the rigid yet evolving social landscape of ancient Rome, where birth, wealth, and political power determined one's place in society.