Final answer:
The term "patricians" in the given sentence refers to members of the Roman land-owning class who held a high social and political status in ancient Rome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "patricians" in the given sentence refers to members of the Roman land-owning class. In ancient Rome, the patricians were the wealthy elite who held a high social and political status. They were known for their influence and power in society, and they were often chosen for important positions such as the presidency if something happened to the current leader.