  A brief overview of the properties of massive star clusters in early-type
galaxies is given. All ellipticals (with only one known exception) host massive
star clusters in the form of globular clusters, suggesting that their formation
is very common. The number of clusters per unit galaxy mass appears very
constant, pointing at similar formation processes on large scales. Furthermore,
the luminosity/mass functions of the globular cluster systems appear to be very
similar from galaxy to galaxy, pointing at similar formation processes on small
scales.
  Probably the most important recent discovery is the presence of cluster
sub-populations in many (if not all) early-type galaxies. The latter seem to be
closely linked to galaxy formation and evolution, and appear to support
hierarchical clustering models, however with an early spheroid formation.
