CLIENTS

From Agepedia

CLIENTS, in ancient Rome, were citizens of the lower ranks, who chose a patron from the higher classes, whose duty it was to assist them in legal cases, to take a paternal care of them, and to provide for their security.. The CLIENTS, on the other hand, were obliged to portion the daughters of the patron, if he had not sufficient fortune; to ransom him, if taken prisoner and to vote for him, if he was candidate for an office. Clients and patrons were under mutual obligation not to accuse each other, not to bear witness against each other, and, in general, not to do one another any injury. Romulus, who had established this relation, in order to unite more firmly the patricians and plebeians, made a law that he who had omitted his duty as client, or patron might be slain by any body. During a period of 600 years, no instance was known of a disagreement between the clients and patrons. This relation continued till the time of the emperors. It is certainly among the most interesting and curious which history mentions, and must be considered as one of the first attempts at a regular government ; as the transition from a patriarchal state, in which family relations are predominant, to a welldeveloped political system, securing the rights and independence of the individual.In modern times, the word client is used for a party to a law suit, who has put his cause into the 'bunds of a lawyer.