Dry American senator in Rome way back (6)

I believe the answer is:

brutus

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'senator in rome way back' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'dry american' is the wordplay.
'dry' becomes 'brut' (type of wine).
'american' becomes 'US' (abbreviation for United States).
'brut'+'us'='BRUTUS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brutus that I've seen before include "one associated with a conspiracy long ago" , "Conspirator's" , "Honourable Roman" , "One of Caesar's killers" , "senator in Rome once" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app