public shows placed as heavy a drain upon the fortunes of the
senatorial order as did the _summa honoraria_ upon the holders of
municipal offices.

A new feature of Roman society under the principate was the growth of the
imperial court. In spite of the wishes of Augustus and some of his
successors to live on a footing of equality with the rest of the nobility,
it was inevitable that the exceptional political power of the princeps
should give a corresponding importance to his household organization.
Definite offices developed within the imperial household not only for the
conduct of public business but also for the control of slaves and freedmen
in the domestic service of the princeps. The chief household officials
were the chamberlain _a cubiculo_ and the chief usher (_ab admissione_).
Because of their intimate personal association with the princeps their
influence over him was very great, and as a rule they did not hesitate to
use their position to enrich themselves at the expense of those who sought
the imperial favor. From among the senators and equestrians the princeps
chose a number of intimate associates and advisors who were called his
"friends." When forming part of his cortege away from Rome they were known
as his companions (_comites Augusti_). In connection with the imperial
audiences a certain degree of ceremonial developed, with fixed forms of
salutation which differentiated the rank and station of those attending
these functions. In the society of the capital the personal tastes of the
princeps set the fashion of the day.

*Clients.* Characteristic of the times was the new form of clientage which
was a voluntary association of master and paid retainer. Under the
republic eminent men had throngs of adherents to greet them at their
morning reception and accompany them to the forum. It had now become
obligatory for practically every man of wealth to maintain such a retinue,
which should be at his beck and call at all hours of the day and be
prepared to serve him in various ways. In return the patron helped to
support his clients with fees, food, and gifts of clothing, and rendered
them other favors. The clients were recruited partly from freedmen, partly
from citizens of low birth, and partly from persons of the better class
who had fallen upon evil days. In general the lot of these pensioners does
not seem to have been a very happy one--even the slaves of their patrons
despised them--and their large number