The Plebs were the general body of Roman citizens (as distinguished from slaves) in Ancient Rome. They were distinct from the higher order of the patricians. A member of the plebs was known as a plebeian . This term is used today to refer to one who is or appears to be of the middle or lower order; however, in Rome plebeians could become quite wealthy and influential. In Latin the word plebs is a singular collective noun, and its genitive is plebis. The origin of the separation into orders is un… (More on Plebe)