Final answer:
Roman citizens enjoyed legal protections, property rights, and political participation not afforded to non-citizens. The meaning and privileges of citizenship evolved, notably with Caracalla's edict, but inequalities persisted.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient Rome, Roman citizenship was a privileged status that afforded individuals specific rights and protections non-citizens did not enjoy. Subject peoples in the provinces of the Roman Empire, such as peregrini and various classes of non-citizens, did not possess these rights and were often subject to the rule and goodwill of Roman governors. One significant difference was that Roman citizens were exempt from certain legal penalties, such as crucifixion, and had the right to appeal to Roman law. Non-citizens were typically subject to harsher punishments and had limited legal recourse. Roman law also protected citizens' rights concerning property and political participation, while non-citizens held a more vulnerable legal status.Citizenship could be acquired through birth, manumission, military service, or as a reward for loyalty to Rome. Women in Rome held citizenship status but could not vote or hold office. This changed in 212 CE when Emperor Caracalla extended citizenship to all free men and women in the empire, a move that aimed to simplify tax collection but also brought Roman law to a broader population. Yet, despite the broad extension of citizenship, disparities in status and rights remained within the Roman society.