Final answer:
In Pompeii, freeborn men had roles in trade, agriculture, and education, and could hold property and participate in government. Their social status was influenced by ancestry and wealth. Freeborn men, including those from the proletariat class, were vital to Rome's military, social, and economic structures, with their offspring granted full citizenship.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient Pompeii, freeborn men assumed various roles and responsibilities. They were fundamental in the social, political, and economic life of the city. While they were restricted in holding major political or religious positions if they were previously enslaved, many freeborn men engaged in professions such as trade, agriculture, and education. They could become quite prosperous and some even became slaveholders themselves. The status and wealth of a freeborn Roman influenced their social hierarchy and political privileges. Moreover, Roman citizenship was significant for freeborn men, allowing them to participate in government. Certain incentives, such as exemptions from mandatory public service, were offered to fathers with multiple children, encouraging population growth among the upper classes.
Despite being largely patriarchal, Roman society afforded freeborn men certain rights and privileges based on their ancestry and wealth. Membership in Rome's political and social events was both a duty and an honor. Men like Sulla and Pompey the Great exemplified the expectations of Roman freeborn men, especially in terms of military prowess and leadership, despite moral dilemmas associated with their softer qualities.
The proletariat class, often comprised of former small family farm owners who lost their land, also contributed significantly to the population of freeborn men in Rome, particularly in the increasing working-class sector. The children of freed people were considered full citizens, highlighting the fluid nature of Roman societal structure.