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Glite Dictionary
👑 Conservative elite 🏛️ Roman aristocrats
optimates

optimates

1 9.9
A group of rich Roman leaders who supported the power of the Senate
  • noun
  • /ˈɑːptɪˌmeɪts/
  • Literature
: optimates
  • The optimates worked to preserve the traditional power of the Roman Senate.

Examples

  • During the late Republic, the optimates often clashed with the populares over reforms.

  • Cicero was sometimes associated with the optimates because of his support for the Senate.

  • The optimates were influential in shaping Roman policy.

  • Many optimates opposed popular reforms during the Republic.

  • The optimates aimed to maintain the Senate's control over Roman governance.

  • Throughout the political turmoil of the Republic, the optimates defended aristocratic privileges.

  • Many senators identified as optimates, advocating for a conservative approach to Roman laws.

Surface Forms

optimates plural

Etymology

Optimates comes from the Latin optimus, meaning 'best', so in ancient Rome it named the 'best men' — the wealthy senators and nobles who defended the power of the Senate. That's why optimates refers to that aristocratic political group.