maecenas
Wealthy artistic sponsor
A maecenas is a generous patron of the arts or literature.
The term comes from Gaius Maecenas, a Roman statesman who supported poets like Virgil and Horace.
Used as a common noun, it describes anyone who provides financial backing or encouragement to artists: The city needs a maecenas to fund its struggling theater companies.
The word is literary and somewhat rare in modern usage. (Capitalized Maecenas refers to the original Roman patron.)
Regular supporter or customer
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- artsCreative disciplines collectively
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
support · funding · generosity · patronize · endowment · commission · stipend · subsidy
Rome's inaugural emperor
Augustan · classical · epic · verse · Latin · Aeneid · dedication · friendship
patron
Regular supporter or customer
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- artsCreative disciplines collectively
philanthropy · support · funding · generosity · patronize · endowment · commission · stipend · subsidy · cultural
Augustus
Rome's inaugural emperor
Rome · Augustan · classical · epic · verse · Latin · Aeneid · dedication · friendship · circle
Roman
Of ancient Italy's capital
- statesmanRespected political leader
- diplomatOfficial foreign representative
- advisorOne who gives guidance
consul · emperor · politics · influence · confidant · counselor · Etruscan · nobility · elite · power
maecenasdetractor
One who diminishes
philistine · critic · censor · naysayer · disparager