client state of the Roman Empire

generate a one-sentence description for a given conceptual class.
# Response Format
Return only the sentence: "Description: [one-sentence description of the conceptional class]"

Class: client state of the Roman Empire

A client state of the Roman Empire was a formally independent polity that maintained its own rulers and internal administration while being bound by treaty to support Roman foreign policy, pay tribute or provide troops, and accept Roman influence over its succession and external affairs.