Which two groups divided society during the Roman Republic?

The division of society in the Roman Republic is primarily characterized by the distinction between patricians and plebeians. Patricians were the aristocratic families who held significant social, political, and economic power. They were the elite class, often occupying important roles in governance and the military. On the other hand, plebeians were the common people, which included farmers, craftsmen, laborers, and soldiers. This group initially had limited rights and power, facing social and political struggles to gain equality.

The tension between these two classes was pivotal in shaping Roman political structures and societal norms. Over time, plebeians fought for and achieved various rights, such as the establishment of the Tribune of the Plebs and the ability to intermarry with patrician families. The conflict and eventual compromise between these groups were instrumental in the development of the Roman Republic's political system.

Other options, while relevant to aspects of Roman governance and society, do not capture the primary division in the way that patricians and plebeians do. For instance, while senators were a powerful body generally comprised of patricians, the broader societal division is more accurately represented by the relationship between the two main classes: patricians and plebeians.