Ancient Roman line in silverware, perhaps (6)
I believe the answer is:
pilate
'silverware perhaps' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'ancient roman line in' is the wordplay.
'ancient roman' becomes 'at' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'line' becomes 'pile' (pile is a kind of line).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'at' placed within 'pile' is 'PILATE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pilate that I've seen before include "Biblical Roman procurator of Judaea" , "Biblical judge who washed his hands" , "Biblical judge who asked 'What is truth'" , "Roman governor" , "Roman who authorised the crufixion of Jesus" .)