The plural of 'eques'; in ancient Rome, a member of the equestrian class or wealthy citizen merchants who could afford to maintain horses for military service.
From Latin 'equites,' plural of 'eques' (horseman, from 'equus,' horse). Refers specifically to the second-ranking social class in Roman society, below patricians but above plebeians.
Roman equites were originally cavalry soldiers, but by the time of the Republic they were mostly wealthy businesspeople—the Romans promoted them because they could afford their own military equipment. It's like how today we honor the wealthy when they can contribute to society!
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