In ancient Rome, the farmers who could vote but were excluded from holding the highest offices were called "plebeians" or "plebs" for short. The plebeians were the common people of Rome who made up the majority of the population, while the patricians were the wealthy and aristocratic class who held most of the political power. The struggle for political and social equality between these two classes was known as the Conflict of the Orders and lasted for several centuries, eventually resulting in the plebeians gaining greater rights and representation in the Roman government.