Ancient Rome Flashcards
the land in italy is
a peninsula extending 750 miles long
ridge dividing italy from north to south
apennine mountain range
fertile farming area in northern italy
po river valley
region where rome is located
plain of latium
southern area of italy, fertile for farming
region of campania
river providing rome access to the sea
tiber river
body of water surrounding the italian peninsula
mediterranean sea
influential civilization controlling rome after 650 bc
etruscans
toga
traditional roman garment adopted from etruscans
system allowing some people full citizenship
roman confederation
the roman army borrowed
etruscans
rome engaged in battles for ___ years
200
etruscan influence
transformed rome from a village to city
livy
rome historian who wrote about cincinnatus
what did romans due after losses
rebuilt their armies, showing resilience
patricians
wealthy landowners, ruling class of rome
plebians
commoners, and less wealthy people including farmers, merchants and craftspeople, fewer rights
praetors
officials in charge of civil law and justice, later expanded to non citizens
who is in the roman senate
a select group of about 300 patricians serving for life
council of the plebs
council that allowed plebeians to pass laws and elect their own officials called tribunes
conflict between patricians and plebeians for equality
struggle of the orders
first written code of laws
twelve tables
_____ could hold office; _____ could vote
patricians
both
natural law
universal law based on reason and justice
civil law
legal system applied only to roman citizens
first punic war fought over
conflict of sicily
hannibal
carthaginian general, led the second punic war, known for crossing the alps with 46,000 men and 37 elephants
battle of cannae
roman suffered a major defeat with 40,000 people killed, but eventually recovered
why were the twelve tables written
to ensure fairer treatment of both patricians and plebeians
stated the rights, laws duties of the roman citizens
cincinnatus
a roman farmer who became a temporary ruler to save rome
wars fought between rome and carthage
the punic wars
what happened in the third punic war
rome completely destroyed carthage, selling its inhabitants into slavery and taking over its territory as a province
type of government in rome
representative, 3 branches, checks and balances
big fear in rome
tyranny
conquered people are expected to
follow roman law, pay taxes
cause of rivalry with carthage and rome
mediterranean sea
golden age
pax romana
emperor augustus
the emperor during pax romana
the apennines’ impact on development
less rugged, leading to fewer isolated communities
effect of more farmable land than greece
supported a larger population
how was rome’s location on the tiber river strategic
close to the sea for trade but far enough inland to avoid pirate attacks.
what made rome easy to defend
the seven hills of rome
what did romans do to the etruscan king
they overthrew him and established a roman republic where leaders were elected
what was the roman military like
brave soldiers, persistent,
strategic colonies - built fortified towns and roads to connect them, enabling quick troop movement.
tribunes
officials that council of the plebs elected which empowered them politically and socially against the patrician class.
battle of zama
rome defeated hannibal, and spain became a roman province
tiberius and gaius gracchus
tried to address the crisis of landless poor by proposing land reforms to redistribute land from wealthy landowners to the landless.
they got killed
general marius
recruited soldiers from the urban and rural poor, promising them land in exchange for military service.
sulla
- carried out a reign of terror, purging his enemies, and restored power to the Senate.
- sulla’s use of the army to seize power set a dangerous precedent for future leaders.
who formed the first triumvirate
crassus, pompey, and julius caesar
first triumvirate
an alliance to dominate roman politics
what did the senate do because of their fear of caesar’s growing power
assassinated him
what did caesar introduce after being named dictator for life
he introduced reforms, including land redistribution, expanding the senate, and implementing the solar calendar
why was the second triumvirate formed
after caesars death to avenge caesar and divide power
who formed the second triumvirate
octavian, antony, and lepidus
roman and greek culture blended creating
greco-roman civilizations
triumvirate
a government led by three rulers with equal power.
legion
a roman military unit consisting of about 5,000 soldiers.
latifundia
large estates that dominated farming in the roman empire, often worked by slaves.
roman values
- family/who you came from
- pride
- power + control
peninsula
piece of land surrounded by water on three sides
how much of the population was slaves
1/3
what are the three social groups
patricians, plebeians, slaves
non-romans who lived under their rule
subjects
who did romans look down on
everyone because they were always winning
roman religion
polytheistic
freedmen
former slaves, not citizens
roman provinces
territories controlled by rome outside italy
first roman province acquired after the first punic war
sicily
