Upright type, member of an empire (5)
I believe the answer is:
roman
This clue might be a double definition.
'upright type' is the first definition.
(term for upright type as opposed to italic)
'member of an empire' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for roman that I've seen before include "- Empire; - nose" , "Printing style" , "Does this citizen live in a manor?" , "Italian person" , "Like the English alphabet" .)