Leaders of empire not trumpeted when we are living as followers? (9)
I believe the answer is:
entourage
'followers?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'leaders of empire not trumpeted when we are living' is the wordplay.
'leaders of' indicates taking the first letters.
'when we are living' becomes 'our age' (the age we live in).
The initial letters of 'empire not trumpeted' is 'ent'.
'ent'+'ourage'='ENTOURAGE'
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for entourage that I've seen before include "Supportive group" , "Support team" , "Group of attendants" , "Ego nature found in accompanying group" , "A star may have one" .)