ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Patronage in ancient Rome

Patronage in ancient Rome was like having a very important friend who could help you. Imagine if you were in a big school and you had a really cool older friend who could help you get what you need. That is what it was like in ancient Rome.

People in ancient Rome who were important, and had lots of power and money, were called patrons. These patrons had lots of people who depended on them, called clients. Clients were usually poor or not as important as the patrons.

The patrons helped their clients in many ways. They might give them money or a place to live, and even pay for their things like clothes or food. They also helped their clients get good jobs, and even helped them get elected to be in the government.

But why would patrons help their clients so much? Well, because the clients owed the patrons a lot. Clients had to do things for the patrons, like vote for them or support them and their family. They also had to be loyal to the patrons and never tell their secrets.

So, it was like a big friendship but with rules. The patrons helped their clients and the clients helped their patrons. It was a way for people in ancient Rome to get ahead in life and succeed.