Patrician

A patrician is a member of the aristocratic or noble class in ancient societies, especially in Rome. Historically, patricians held significant social, political, and economic power, often belonging to elite families that controlled land and government institutions. They distinguished themselves from the common citizens, known as plebeians, through lineage, wealth, and social status. Over time, the role of patricians evolved as societies modernized, but they remain a term representing the privileged upper class with inherited status and influence.