Life in Roman republic came with more rights that were curbed in the empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
One must understand that there was a strict hierarchy in place in the Roman society and one's place in that hierarchy determined if they were privileged or not.
The patricians enjoyed greater comforts in the republic because of their sphere of influence but that was curbed when the Emperor took over and they could have their life in balance if they went against the Emperor.
The rest of the people meanwhile had much the same life and then even some of them had a way to climb the social ladder as the patrician class was weakened by the ascension.