Alterum genus est equitum. Hī, cum est ūsus atque aliquod bellum incidit (quod ferē ante Caesaris adventum quotannīs accidere sōlēbat, utī aut ipsī iniūriās īnferrent aut illātās prōpulsārent), omnēs in bellō versantur; atque eōrum ut quisque est genere cōpiīsque amplissimus, ita plūrimōs circum sē ambactōs clientēsque habet. Hanc ūnam grātiam potentiamque nōvērunt.
notes
Knights and retainers.
equites: Compare Roman Equites
cum est ūsus: 'when there is occasion' (Rice Holmes). (< A&G 548)
versantur: 'engaged', or 'are employed' (Allen & Judson)
ut quisque amplissimus…ita plurimos: 'the more powerful…the greater number' (Allen & Greenough); ut quisque…ita: 'the more…the more' (Allen & Judson)( A&G 313.a, 323.g)
clientes: Compare Roman Patrons and Clients
vocabulary
ūsus –ūs m.: use, occasion, need, want, necessity
adventus –ūs m.: arrival, approach
quotannīs: annually
prōpulso, -āre: drive off, beat off, keep off; keep at bay; repel
verso, -āre: turn about often, turn hither and tither; pass. remain, stay
amplus -a, -um: large, copious, ample; well-supplied with; rich in
ambactus –ī m.: attendant, retainer
cliēns –entis m.: dependant, client, retainer