1. a member of the equestrian order in ancient Rome, ranking below the senatorial class
Usage: historical; often capitalized
2. a mounted soldier or knight
Usage: archaic; literary

Examples

• The eques served as a cavalry officer in the Roman legions.
• An eques could rise in social status through military service and wealth.
• The eques class formed an important middle tier in Roman society.
• Medieval literature often depicted the eques as a noble warrior on horseback.
• Members of the equestrian order, or equites, held significant political influence in Rome.