optimates
Roman noble faction
The optimates were the conservative aristocratic faction in the late Roman Republic, opposed to the populares.
They defended traditional senatorial authority and resisted reforms that would redistribute power or land to common citizens.
The term means "the best men" in Latin—how they saw themselves.
Cicero aligned with the optimates against Caesar's ambitions.
- patriciateHereditary noble class
- consulDiplomat in foreign city
- auctoritasInformal power from reputation
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
elite · proscriptions · censor · senate · Rome · conservatives · oligarchy · traditionalists · power · imperium · Cato · toga · Pompey · equestrians · elections · faction · patricians · wealth
- Ancient RomeRome, Julius Caesar, Caesar, gladiator, gladiators
- Roman elitepatrician, senator, consul, noble family, noble house
- Roman governmentconsul, consuls, senate, tribune, senators
- Roman Politicsconsul, senate, praetor, tribune, Roman Senate
- Roman Republicconsul, Roman Republic, veto power, senator, sacrosanctity
- Roman societypatrician, patricians, plebeian, plebeians, citizen
optimism, optimal, optimize, optimization, optimized, optimizing, optimally, optimizes, optimality