Which group in ancient Italy was second in wealth and status to the senatorial aristocracy?

The equites, or equestrian class, were indeed the group in ancient Italy known for being second in wealth and status to the senatorial aristocracy. This class originally emerged as a group of cavalrymen who could afford to maintain horses for military service. Over time, the equites evolved into a prominent socioeconomic class that played a significant role in Roman society, particularly during the late Republic and early Empire.

Their wealth was primarily derived from commerce, land ownership, and tax farming, setting them apart from the plebeians, who were of lower social status and typically engaged in more manual labor or less lucrative professions. Unlike the patricians, who were part of the original nobility and often held exclusive political power in the early Republic, the equites gained prominence through their economic power and were influential in various sectors, including trade and finance.

While senators held the highest political rank and came from elite backgrounds, the equites managed to carve out significant influence and wealth for themselves, often acting in opposition to the senatorial class's interests, particularly in matters of economic policy and governance. Thus, the equites represent the second tier in the social hierarchy of ancient Italy, closely linked with affluent status but distinct from the political dominance of the senators.