For the fictional "charm" which is mentioned in the Harry Potter series of novels, see Patronus Charm Cover of the original novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. ... Harry performing the Patronus Charm, from the movie version of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Patronus has a dual meaning in the world of the Harry Potter series of fantasy novels by J. K. Rowling. ...

Patronus (plural patroni) was the term used to refer to a Patrician "benefactor" in the Patrician/Plebian relationship called clientela, which was part of the social customs of Ancient Rome, extending back as far in antiquity as can be traced. Patricians were originally the elite caste in ancient Rome. ... Patricians were originally the elite caste in ancient Rome. ... In Ancient Rome, the plebs was the general body of Roman citizens, distinct from the privileged class of the patricians. ... Clientela was a Roman law, or social convention that linked Plebians with the legal, social, and sometimes economic protection of Patrician families. ... It has been suggested that Culture of ancient Rome be merged into this article or section. ...

By the time of Cicero, the Patronus/Cliens relationship also could refer to the relationship between an advocate and his legal client. Marcus Tullius Cicero (standard English pronunciation ; Classical Latin pronunciation ) (January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC) was an orator and statesman of Ancient Rome, and is generally considered the greatest Latin orator and prose stylist. ...

By Cicero's time, extermely powerful and influential Roman patricians might be the Patronus of entire city states, or foreign countries. In such cases, the Roman Senate often would settle disputes between foreign nations within it's "sphere of influence" by referring the matter to be resolved between the patronii of the respective disputing client nations, and abide by the results. Marcus Tullius Cicero (standard English pronunciation ; Classical Latin pronunciation ) (January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC) was an orator and statesman of Ancient Rome, and is generally considered the greatest Latin orator and prose stylist. ... Patricians were originally the elite caste in ancient Rome. ... The Roman Senate (Latin, Senatus) was a deliberative body which was important in the government of both the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. ...

A Patronus had certain obligations towards their cliens, including that of a being a legal advisor and protector. Cliens (plural clientes) was the term used to refer to the lesser - or obligated - role in the Ancient Roman law/social convention of clientela. ...

For more details refer to clientela. Clientela was a Roman law, or social convention that linked Plebians with the legal, social, and sometimes economic protection of Patrician families. ...