clientage
Body of clients
Clientage is the relationship between a patron and their clients, or the body of clients collectively.
The term appears in discussions of ancient Rome, where powerful citizens maintained networks of dependents who exchanged loyalty for protection and favors.
More broadly, clientage describes any system of patronage relationships: The senator built his clientage through decades of political favors.
Ordinary, unrefined person
- freedmanReleased former slave
- manumissionFormal freeing of enslaved
- togaAncient draped garment
- atriumRoofed central hall
republic · senate · aristocracy · nobility
State of needing another
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
- vassalageSubordination to a lord
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
obligation · indebtedness · subservience · reliance · deference · beholdenness · tribute · submission
People who purchase goods
- regularsHabitual visitors
- patronsRegular supporters or customers
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- retinueAttendants of dignitaries
entourage · followers · dependents · retainers · adherents · supporters · constituents · flock
Regular supporter or customer
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- backerFinancial supporter
- supporterOne who backs another
protector · donor · investor · financier · underwriter · philanthropy · endowment · subsidy
plebeian
Ordinary, unrefined person
- freedmanReleased former slave
- manumissionFormal freeing of enslaved
- togaAncient draped garment
atrium · republic · senate · aristocracy · nobility
dependence
State of needing another
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
- vassalageSubordination to a lord
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
allegiance · obligation · indebtedness · subservience · reliance · deference · beholdenness · tribute · submission · hierarchical
customers
People who purchase goods
retinue · entourage · followers · dependents · retainers · adherents · supporters · constituents · flock · coterie
patron
Regular supporter or customer
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- backerFinancial supporter
supporter · protector · donor · investor · financier · underwriter · philanthropy · endowment · subsidy · funding
clientageindependence
Freedom from external control
autonomy · self-sufficiency · self-reliance · sovereignty · self-determination
clientagepatronage
Supporter's financial backing
mastership · lordship · dominion · suzerainty · protectorship