Ancient Rome Flashcards
Why was the location of Rome advantageous?
- Strategic location
2. Fertile soil
How was Rome founded?
Romulus and Remus, (demigods) wee raised be a she- wolf named Lupa. They built a city on the Tiber river (the city of Rome)
Who were the first Romans?
Latins
Greeks
Etruscans
Describe the Latins and their contributions to later Rome
Farmers and shepherds came across alps
First Romans; built original Rome
Describe the Greeks and their contributions to later Rome
- settlers built 50 colonies on the coast of Sicily and Italy
- sculpture, literature, architecture, agriculture, religion
- colonies brought Greece in contact with Rome
- taught Romans how to grow grapes and olives
Etruscans- describe them and their contributions
- native to northern Italy
- skilled metalworkers and architects
- influenced rome’s writing
- influenced the arch
What was rome’s religion composed of?
It blended Etruscan and Greek mythology together
What was the economy of Rome?
Rich land = good agriculture
Define Republic
A form of government in which power is given to the citizens who have the right to vote on their leaders
Define patricians
Aristocratic landowners who held most of the power. You became a patrician by birthright
What was a Plebians?
Common farmers, artisans and merchants (majority) who had the right to vote but couldn’t hold highest gov’t seats
What were tribunes?
- representatives who protected the rights of the Plebians from unfair acts of Patricians (most of the officials)
- senate eventually allowed them and eventually tribunes gained more political power
What were the 12 tables?
Plebians forced the creation of a law code because it was up for interpretation
- in 451 bc they were written down and hung in the Forum
- written on 12 tablets
- established standards for roman law
What did the 12 tables say?
All free citizens ( patricians and Plebians) had a right to the protection of the law
How did Rome achieve a balanced gov’t?
Took the best parts of a monarchy, aristocracy and democracy
What were consuls?
- commanded army and directed gov’t
- power was limited
- 1 year term (couldn’t be reelected within 10 years)
- there were 2 consuls
- they could veto each other
What was the senate?
- aristocratic branch
- had legislative and administrative power
- 300 members (Plebians were later allowed in)
- membership for life
What were the assemblies?
- centuriate assembly
- tribal assembly
What was the centuriate assembly?
All citizen- soldiers were members
- this patrician controlled assembly appointed consuls and made laws
What was the tribal assembly?
Composed of Plebians
- elected tribunes and made laws for the common people
- later made laws for the Republic
What was the purpose of a dictator in Rome?
In time of crisis, the republic could appoint a tyrant to rule with complete power one army and laws for 6 months.
- chosen by the consuls and elected by the senate
Who was required to serve in the military?
All land owning male citizens
What was a legion?
A large military unit
Who were the Gauls?
Rome was growing steadily and soon dominated central Italy. The Gauls who are Celtic people crushed them and sacked Rome but the Romans rebuilt and reestablished control.
Who were citizens?
Latins: on the Tiber river (in and around Rome) were full citizens
Distant Territories: citizens, couldn’t vote
Conquered Groups: allies of Rome, had to send troops to the army and weren’t allowed to make other allies.
How did rome’s citizenship policy benefit them?
It made peace ( and an incentive for peace) with conquered and spread out people so everyone felt allegiance and ties to Rome
How did Rome trade?
By land and sea. They traded wine and olive oil for other goods
Why was Carthage a problem?
Carthage interfered with Rome’s access to the Mediterranean
Where was Carthage?
North African coast peninsula
What were the Punic wars?
Rome and Carthage go to war over Sicily.
Outcome: Carthage is defeated, Rome takes over Sicily, its first province/admin unit-> uneasy peace follows
What was the second Punic war?
In 218 BC, Hannibal, a Carthaginian general wanted to avenge Carthage’s defeat
- he traveled all the way around the mountains to try to attack Rome from the north on elephants and surprise them
- his greatest victory was at cannae
- he was stopped from capturing Rome by regrouped allies
Who was Scipio and what did he do?
Romans’ general during the Punic wars, planned to attack Carthage.
Defeated Hannibal and his army
Who was Cato? (Also describe the 3rd Punic war)
An influential senator, said Carthage must be completely destroyed.
They laid siege, and eventually burned it down sold inhabitants into slavery. (Salted Carthage and made it completely infertile?)
