optimates
The English phrase 'elite' is translated into Latin as optimates.
The word refers to a group with a higher status.
Meaning: group with higher status (noun)
When do people say it?
In the context of the late Roman Republic, optimates specifically refers to the senatorial faction that favored traditional senatorial authority, often translated as 'the best men'.
Did you know?
- The word optimates refers to a group based on 'best' quality, whereas the English word 'elite' comes from the French word for 'chosen'.
- In the Roman Republic, being part of the optimates was not just about wealth but about auctoritas, a type of social influence that cannot be bought.
- While optimates describes a social class, the Roman state had a formal legal class called the equites or 'knights' who served as a business elite.
Examples in context
- Optimates senatus regunt.The optimates rule the senate.
- Potentia est apud optimates.Power lies with the optimates.
- Optimates fines urbis defendunt.The optimates defend the borders of the city.
Example conversation
Aurelia and Marcus are discussing politics in the forum.
- AureliaQuid optimates volunt?What do the elite want?
- MarcusSemper imperium tenere volunt.They always want to hold power.
- AureliaSed populus non vult.But the people do not want that.
- MarcusTamen optimates vincunt.Still, the elite win.
