Question

claque [Nero] also chose a few young equites and more than 5,000 ordinary youths, whom he divided into claques to learn the various Alexandrian methods of applause – they were known respectively as 'Bees', 'Roof tiles' and 'Brick-bats'.

Accepted Answer

n. A group of people hired to applaud or heckle a performer or public speaker; a group of sycophantic followers. Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Nero, p. 217

Word	claque
Definition	n. A group of people hired to applaud or heckle a performer or public speaker; a group of sycophantic followers.
Sentence	[Nero] also chose a few young equites and more than 5,000 ordinary youths, whom he divided into claques to learn the various Alexandrian methods of applause – they were known respectively as 'Bees', 'Roof tiles' and 'Brick-bats'.
Source	Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, Nero, p. 217

Group Claque N People Hired Applaud Heckle Performer