anteambulones

ANTEAMBULO´NESwere slaves who were accustomed to go before their masters, in order to make way for them through the crowd. (Suet. Vesp. 2.) They usually called out date locum domino meo; and if this were not sufficient to clear the way, they used their hands and elbows for that purpose. Pliny tells an amusing story of a man who was roughly handled by a Roman knight, because his slave had presumed to touch the latter, in order to make way for his master. (Ep. 3.14, 7.) The term anteambulones was also given to the clients, who were accustomed to walk before their patroni in white togas when the latter appeared in public. (Mart. 2.18, 3.7-Z2, 10.74-Z2; Juven. 1.96, 8.49-Z2, 10.44-Z2.)

(1) Slaves who went before their masters to make way for them in a crowd, crying Date locum domino meo. See Suet. Vesp. 2.

(2) Clients who walked before their patrons when the latter appeared in public. See clientes.