How does aristocracy fit into the Roman government?

Answer 1

One could loosely say that aristocracy fit into the Roman government by tradition. At the birth of the republic, the senate consisted of Patricians because they were the ones who had the most to loose (and to gain) by government acts. After the Plebeians gained their rights, entry into the senate and wealth, they too, were considered aristocracy, as opposed to the common people who had immigrated to the city. These newcomers were neither Patrician nor Plebeian, as they could not trace their ancestry to the beginnings of Rome. It was very, very difficult for a "new man" to enter the senate. (Cicero was one of the few who did it). It was not until the time of Augustus that the senate was opened up to capable men regardless of birth.