Ancient Rome Flashcards
What is the definition of SPQR?
Senatus Populusque Romanus (the Senate and People of Rome)
Who were the Plebeians?
the lowest social class in Rome
Who were the Equestrians?
The equites constituted the second of the property-based classes of ancient Rome
Who were the Patricians?
the highest social class in Rome
What was a Roman Province?
A large areas of land or kingdoms that came under Roman rule
What was often the reward for being a province ?
Citizenship
Who were the first to gain provincial status in the first century BCE?
Italian allies
When was a charter produced?
When a province was annexed
What did Romans do to local arrangements?
Leave them alone
What were favoured communities called?
civitates foederatae and civitates liberae
What was the benefits of being a favoured community?
- Use your own laws
- exempt from joining the army
- exempt from taxation
What would a pro-consul leave Rome to do ?
Become a governor
Who would decide which governor went where?
The Senate
How long was the governor post?
A year
Why would the governor post sometimes be longer than specified?
If there were a shortage of high-end officials
What was provocatio?
A provincials right to appeal the decision of the governor
What was the governors main duty ?
External attack and internal disorder
What changed after Julius Caesar’s Lex Julia?
Governors had to publish their financial accounts
What staff did a governor have?
- A Quaestor
- Three Legati
- Subordinate officers
What was the Quaestors role in the provinces?
the finances
What were the Legatis role in provinces?
Senators for jurisdiction, levies and sometime military command
What were the subordinate officials ?
Private secretary, clerks, lictors
Who is the most famous corrupt governor?
Verres in Sicily
Why did many people want to become Governors?
So they could gain the money they lost in their campaigns back
