noun
- the wealthy class of ancient Roman citizens who served as cavalry soldiers and later became a distinct social and political order
Usage: historical; plural form
Examples
- The equites formed an important social class between the senators and common citizens in ancient Rome.
- Many equites became wealthy through trade and business ventures.
- The Roman equites originally served as mounted warriors in the army.
- Political reforms often affected the relationship between senators and equites.
- The equites played a crucial role in Roman commerce and finance.
- Augustus reorganized the equites as part of his administrative reforms.