Ancient Rome Flashcards
Legion
A small group of soldiers in the Roman army
Legionary
A Roman soldier
Gladius
a Roman sword
Pilum
a Roman spear
Republic
A form of government in which the citizens elect their leaders.
Appian Way
The system of roads in ancient Rome.
Roman Confederation
The system that gave conquered people full Roman citizenship
Patrician
A member of the ruling class of ancient Rome.
Plebeian
An ordinary citizen of ancient Rome.
Consuls
Two Roman officials who headed the government.
Veto
Literally means “I forbid”.
Praetors
Judges of ancient Rome
Tribunes
Plebeian officials who voiced plebeian concerns to the government.
Dictator
A ruler granted absolute power.
Civic duty
the idea that citizens have the responsibility to help their country
Triumvirate
three rulers who share equal power
Pax Romana
Roman Peace
Proconsul
governor of Roman provinces
Latifundia
large farming estates
Gladiator
a person who fought people or animals to death
Vault
curved ceiling
standard
a tall pole with an emblem on top-to know where to go on the battlefield
Who did the Romans defeat on their path to becoming a republic? When did they defeat these people?
They defeated the Etruscans in 500 BCE.
Who was required to be in the army?
Every male citizen who owned land.
What did Rome do when they conquered a region?
They set up military outposts around the region to protect it. The conquered people were either given full Roman citizenship or became Allies of Rome.
How long could a dictator hold absolute power for?
Six months
How did Cincinnatus become a prominent figure in Rome?
Cincinnatus was previously a consul, but when an enemy threatened Rome, the Senate selected him to be dictator. He ended up defeating the enemy before going home and fulfilled his civic duty.
forum
Rome’s marketplace
rule of law
The Roman Justice system follows this rule that the laws apply equally to everyone.
What were the Twelve Tables?
These were the first laws written down in Rome. They were carved on bronze tablets and displayed in the forum. Additionally they followed the rule of law.
What was the gap between the rich Romans and the poor Romans?
The plebeians, who owned small farms, could not compete with the patricians, who owned large farms. They were not hired by patricians to work on the farms either because the patricians preferred conquered slaves that weren’t paid.
Explain the term bread and circuses.
Many plebeians were idle and unemployed, so they moved to the city of Rome. To keep them from rebelling, the Roman consuls gave “bread and circuses” or cheap food and free entertainment to the poor.
What happened to the Granchus brothers?
The Granchus brothers urged the Senate to give part of the large farms to the plebeians to stop the patricians from gaining more land. The Granchus brothers were assassinated because of their suggestions.
How did Julius Caesar become emperor of Rome?
Julius Caesar, Crassus and Pompey formed a triumvirate and went to battle. Crassus was killed in battle so Pompey and Caesar were left. Although the Senate favored Pompey, Caesar took over Rome so they made him general in 44 BCE.
When did Rome fall?
476 AD
What are some of Caesar’s accomplishments?
- created jobs for the unemployed
- organized settlements for landless laborers
- ordered landowners to hire plebeians
- created the calendar we use today
How did Caesar die?
A group of Senators who thought he was in power for too long surrounded him and killed him.
What structure did Romans use most often in their architecture?
Arches.
How did Augustus become emperor?
Julius Caesar adopted Octavian to be his heir. Octavian defeated Marc Antony at the battle of Actium and took on his reign. His reign was the start of a 200 year old era of peace called Pax Romana. He changed his name to Caesar Augustus and was the first emperor as the Republic changed to the Empire.
What were some of Augustus’s reforms?
- formed a professional army
- created the Praetorian Guard that guarded the emperor
- established the empire’s borders along prominent land features
What was is Carthage referred to as now?
Tunisia
Who settled Carthage as a colony?
The Phoenicians.
What was the first Punic War?
Rome and Carthage both wanted the Mediterranean for trading and Rome wanted Sicily. Rome did not have a navy like Carthage, so it built ships with bridges so that they could board Carthaginian ships and fight as if they were fighting on land. They were able to defeat the Carthaginians.
What was the second Punic war?
Carthage wanted Spain so Rome urged Spain to rebel agains them. In response, Carthaginian general Hannibal defeated the Roman army. Meanwhile, Roman general Scipio captured Spain and attacked Carthage. Hannibal came to aid them, but was defeated, so he took his own life.
What was the third Punic war?
Rome was still wary of Carthage, so soldiers completely destroyed the country.
Who made up the Senate?
300 patrician men who served for life.
What did the Senate do?
They debates laws, foreign policy and approved construction projects.
What did the Assembly of Centuries do?
They elected consuls and praetors, passed laws. They were all patricians.
What did the Council of the Plebs do?
They elected Tribunes.
How many consuls were there?
Two patrician consuls.
What did consuls do?
- headed the government and army
- could veto laws and each other
How long did consuls serve for?
One year
What did praetors do?
Interpreted the laws and served as judges in courts.
What did poor leaders do to stay in office?
They bribed the soldiers.
Why did the rise of Christianity lead to the fall of Rome?
There was so much persecution and killing of Christians that Rome did not focus enough on its civilization or dealing with its real enemy.
How did barbarian invasions lead to the fall of Rome?
To protect the Germanic tribe of the Visigoths from the Huns of Mongolia, Rome let them settle inside Rome’s borders. Since the Romans treated the Visigoths badly, they attacked Rome.
Who else invaded Rome?
The Vandals.
Who was ultimately responsible for the fall of Rome?
The Germanic general Odoacer who overthrew Romulus Augustus.
Why was Rome’s economy poor?
Foreign invaders disrupted trade. People had less money to spend so they bought fewer goods. To make up for this, merchants increased the price of their goods and inflation occurred.
What did the “good” emperors seem to focus on the most?
Improving the elements of a civilization and doing good for the people.
