clientēla, ae, f. id., the relation of patron and client, clientship; patronage, protection; the intimate and reciprocal duties of attachment and interest, based on the private relations in Rome between a Roman of a lower grade (plebeian or freedman) or a foreigner, and the patron chosen by him (cf. Dion. Halic. 2, 9 and 10, pp. 83- 85; Gell. 5, 13; 20, 1): Thais patri se commendavit in clientelam et fidem, * Ter. Eun. 5, 8, 9; cf.: esse in fide et clientelā. to be the client of, Cic. Rosc. Am. 33, 93: conferre se in fidem et clientelam alicujus, id. ib. 37, 106: scis quam diligam Siculos et quam illam clientelam honestam judicem, id. Att. 14, 12, 1: per nomen et clientelas inlustrior haberi, Tac. A. 3, 55.

— Very freq., mostly in plur., concrete, clients, dependents: amplissimas clientelas acceptas a majoribus confirmare poterit, Cic. Fam. 13, 64, 2; so id. Cat. 4, 11, 23: magna esse Pompei beneficia et magnas clientelas in provinciā sciebat, bodies of clients, Caes. B. C. 2, 17; Sall. J. 85, 4; Vell. 2, 29; Tac. A. 3, 55: incedentibus regiis clientelis, id. ib. 12, 36; 13, 37; 14, 61; Suet. Tib. 2; id. Calig. 3.

—In sing., Just. 8, 4, 8.

— In gen., clientship, alliance (cf. cliens, B.), Caes. B. G. 6, 12.

— Trop. (cf. cliens, II.), patronage, protection: poetae sub clientelā musarum esse, Suet. Gram. 6.