Ancient Rome Flashcards
Founding of Rome
The legend about the twin brothers, Romulus and Remus
3 divisions of the history of Rome
Kingdom of Rome, Roman Republic, Roman Empire
What marked the end of the Roman Republic and the start of the Roman Empire?
Caesar and Augustus
Who built the city of Rome on where near where in where in when?
The Latins built the city of Rome on the 7 hills near River Tiber in Central Italy in 753 BC
When was the last king of the Kingdom of Rome overthrown?
509 BC
Structure of the Roman society (social class)
Patricians, Plebeians, Slaves
Who were patricians?
Members of the old, rich and important families in Rome. Only they could become consuls and senators. They were often unfair to the plebeians
Who were plebeians?
Common ordinary people like (poor) farmers and traders
Who were slaves?
Captured people from wars who did all the work in society
Number of consuls
2
Term of office of consuls
1 year
Membership of consuls
Patricians, chosen from the Senate, chosen by the Assembly
Membership of Upper House (the Senate)
Patricians (~300 people)
What was the power of tribunes?
They had the power to say “I forbid”, also know as the power to veto
Membership of tribunes
2 plebeians elected by the Assembly
Duties of tribunes
Made decisions on spending, made decisions about taxation, made laws
Membership of Lower House (the Assembly)
Plebeians
Duties of Lower House
Elected the 2 consuls and tribunes, voted on laws suggested by govt officials
Why is the structure of the Roman Republic a balanced system?
- tribunes can veto -> beneficial to plebeians
- plebeians can elect consuls -> patricians will treat plebeians well
- 2 consuls -> no dictatorship (concentrated power)
- 1 year term of office -> no one will have power over the entire Roman Republic for too long, and the consuls have to choice but to work together
Julius Caesar’s social class
Born in a patrician family
What did Julius Caesar do and become?
Became an army general -> elected a consul and grew in power and popularity -> defeated his enemies and became a dictator
Who was Julius Caesar killed by?
Some senators (led by Brutus)
Popular actions of Caesar
- Gave land to poor peasants and retired soldiers
- Gave jobs to the unemployed
- Allowed people in the conquered land to govern themselves