Patronage in ancient Rome

A client (derived from the Latin cliens = trailer, protege, bondsman ) is the principal or beneficiary of certain service support such as notaries, lawyers, tax advisors, accountants, social workers. Therapists and members of the caring professions use the term occasionally as opposed to "patient" in order to emphasize the service nature of their activities and the majority of patients treated.

History

The Latin term clientela called in ancient Rome on the one hand, the supporters, the whole of the charges, on the other hand, the existing between a client and his patron relationship that occurs for his clients and in turn their loyalty ( fides ) requires ( clientelism ). The clientela was usually because a Nichtadeliger came into financial difficulties or because he could not independently represented in court due to its limited legal capacity and knowledgeable. The client's loyalties were, for example, from the company of the patron, military service or financial support. The consideration of the patron was, inter alia, from the invitation to the board, financial support and legal assistance. With the end of the stands and fights at the beginning of the res publica Romana was a political clientele: The client supported the patron in the political sphere and paid him a daily morning visit. Power and prestige of the patron depend so on the size of his clientele, which is why a competition for the client is created and thus a voluntary allegiance. Towards the end of the Republic, some, most populare swung generals on cartridges to their armies. This Heeresclientel led to the downfall of the Roman Republic and the establishment of a military monarchy under Augustus. In imperial times, the clientele is only a status symbol for the patron. The political function is not available, so the clientele consists of a one-sided financial dependency of clients. The clients are humiliated and are subject to a dress code and attendance, consisting of the morning visit and public monitoring.

A patronage system is a typical feature of societies that lack of state authority with a functioning legal system and where, therefore, no legal protection is possible. In modern times it occurs in derived form in Europe and elsewhere, the Mafia has evolved from it about in Sicily. When state failure, such a phenomenon is common ( see Warlord ).