📌 The Equites—Rome’s Business Elite in the ShadowsThe equites—Rome’s business elite—operated not through political office, but through wealth, influence, and control over the Republic’s economy. Unlike senators, who claimed to serve the state, the equites made their fortunes through tax collection, military contracts, and trade, quietly shaping Rome’s destiny from behind the scenes.Yet, no single ancient source fully explains how they functioned as a class. Their story is scattered across various texts, often mentioned in passing rather than as a cohesive narrative. Still, their presence was constant, evolving alongside Rome itself.🔎 In this episode, we’re reconstructing their history by looking at key moments in the Republic—when the equites adapted, took control, and ultimately reshaped Roman power. From their early role as cavalrymen to their rise as financial overlords, we uncover how this shadowy yet indispensable class gained influence, not through elections, but through money, logistics, and behind-the-scenes power moves.💡 As we unravel their story, one question remains: Did the equites simply serve the Republic, or did they control it from behind the curtain?🔔 Subscribe for Part 2! We’ll continue to explore how the equites expanded their power, manipulated Rome’s political system, and played a role in the Republic’s unraveling.🎧 Listen & Subscribe🔗 RSS Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/102333cb0/podcast/rss☕ Support the Podcast & Get Exclusive Content!Buy Me a Coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/echoandink