Complex sentence: Early in the imperial period, aristocratic citizens actively sought the post as a mark of prestige, they would gain seats in the front row of the theatre and be accepted into the class of "honestiores" (honourable men).
Split into simpler sentences: Early in the imperial period, aristocratic citizens actively sought the post as a mark of prestige. They would gain seats in the front row of the theatre and be accepted into the class of "honestiores" (honourable men).