Chapter 11 - Rome Flashcards
Why was Augustus Caesar’s hair depicted as messy and unkept?
Augustus Caesar’s hair was depicted this way to indicate youth.
Who is Livy?
Livy is a prominent historian who wrote about early Roman history.
What is Julius Caesar’s relation to Augustus?
Augustus is the adopted son of Julius Caesar.
What is the Pantheon?
The Pantheon is a temple named after the pantheon of the gods located inside.
What are the two Roman Foundation Myths?
The two Roman Foundation Myths are Romulus and Remus and The Aeneid.
Who wrote The Aeneid? Why was it written?
Virgil was hired by Augustus to write The Aeneid. Rome was envious of Greece’s Epics and wanted to make their own.
When did The Aeneid take place?
The Aeneid takes place 7 years after the fall of Troy.
What happened in the story of Romulus and Remus?
Romulus and Remus are abandoned in the Tiber River after their parents are killed. They float down along the river until a kindly she-wolf rescued and nurtured them back to health. They are cared for until a shepherd adopted them and raised them on the Palatine Hill. They both argued over where a city should be placed but Jupiter found Romulus’ decision the superior one. Jupiter’s message is sent by an eagle. Remus isn’t allowed into the city and verbal arguments lead to Romulus finally killing Remus.
What happened during the “Rape of the Sabine Women”? What events led to it?
Empty Rome, founded by Romulus, was soon filled with criminals that wandered the land after their exile. The city needed women to impregnate in order to increase their multiplication. They invited the Sabines to a party. At the party, the women are abducted and put in a pen. Romulus later informs them of how he apparently fell in love with them at first sight and that love makes men do crazy things. They buy into it and remain in Rome.
What is the moral of the story in Romulus and Remus?
The moral of the story is obey you superiors, that Romans did not come from Rome, and Romans take what they want.
Who is Aeneas?
Aeneas is a Trojan prince and protagonist of The Aeneid.
What does the word “Punic” mean?
“Punic” means Phoenician in Latin.
What happens in The Aeneid?
Aeneas, Trojan prince, gets message from Jupiter telling him to found a new city. At first, he refuses because he needs to defend his homeland but accepts it after Jupiter orders him again. Aeneas embarks on a journey by ship with his men and his family. Jupiter did not tell him where to found the city. After an aimless journey, he ends up in Carthage. The beautiful Queen of Carthage, Dido, is unmarried and becomes attached to Aeneas. Jupiter is furious because Aeneas should be founding a city rather than being with Dido. Jupiter sends Mercury to remind Aeneas of his goal. Upon this reminder, he follows orders. He goes to an Oracle to find out where the city should be founded. The Oracles tells Aeneas that the city be founded where his men eat their plates. He returns to the Port of Carthage, where he finds Dido. Dido curses him and his descendants and proceeds to kill herself to cause him emotional pain. The journey is continued and they shipwreck in Italy. The crew must hunt for food but they have no plates. They wrap the meat in grape leaves and Aeneas notices his men are eating their plates. The current inhabitants are killed off and Alba Longa is founded.
What happens when Aeneas goes to the underworld?
Aeneas goes to the underworld and sees a lot of his old friends. In this place, he has a dream of Rome being great and a prosperous society. Upon leaving, he is presented with exits. One is the Gateway of Truth and the other is that of Falsehood. If he chooses Truth, his dream will become true. If Falsehood, the dream will not become true. Aeneas chooses Falsehood.
What is the moral of the story in The Aeneid?
The moral of the story is that what you do for Rome is more important than anything else, Romans were foreigners and actually from Troy, and that their push to conquer was divine.
What was Rome’s terrain like?
Rome’s terrain consisted of large plains and mountains. Unlike Greece, Rome’s mountains did not divide the plains.
Who had the most influence on Rome?
The Etruscans had the most influence on Rome.
Where were the Etruscans believed to have originated from?
The Etruscans were believed to have originated from Anatolia.
What is a Votive?
A Votive is an Etruscan piece of art that depicted an Etruscan warrior. It was an offering to a god. The warrior depicted was actually a Hoplite as shown by his shield and cheek pieces.
Why did Hoplites have cheek pieces?
The cheek pieces could be opened so that their faces could come in contact with air during a hot summer.
What caused the decline of the Etruscans?
The decline occurred after raids from Greek and Gaul fleets.
What were Etruscan vases like?
Etruscan vases were similar to their Athenian counterparts in color and shape. Some even depicted Greek gods. The vases can be identified as Etruscan by the presence of a winged figure, or gargoyle.
What were some prominent trade items in Etruscan society?
The Etruscans were active traders of bronze, copper, and iron but they were also known for their gold and silver jewelry.
Who were the Etruscans influenced most by?
The Etruscans were heavily influenced by the Greeks except in the area of women.
In mythology, what started the Punic Wars?
Mythology states that the Carthaginians declare war on Rome due to their Queen Dido’s suicide. This is because Aeneas, former Trojan but later Roman, infuriated her upon leaving Carthage to found a city.
What did Rome adopt from the Etruscans?
Rome adopted the use of the Arch in construction, engineering, their alphabet, and Etruscan gods.
What does the word “Rex” mean?
“Rex” means king in Latin.
Why did Romans prefer a republic to a monarchy?
The Romans felt a republic would prevent a single individual from getting too much power.
Was the civilization of Rome established along the coast?
Rome was not established along the coast and was located more inland.
Who was the last Etruscan king of Rome?
Tarquin the Proud was the last Etruscan king of Rome.
What were the origins of Rome?
Latins migrated to Italy and settled along the Tiber River. Greek colonists to the south and Etruscans in the north shared the peninsula and contributed engineering and religious ideas to Roman civilization.
What was the political system like in Rome throughout the years?
The Regal period (kings) was succeeded by a Republic and then by a series of Emperors.
What happened in the story of Tarquin and Lucretia?
Tarquin the Proud would often throw parties with the aristocrats. His family, including son Tarquin, would be there. An argument arises among the men about who has the best wife. One aristocrat claims that his is the most beautiful and loyal. Upon visiting the woman, it is agreed upon that she is the best wife. At night, Tarquin (son) visits her and says that if she marries him, she’ll become Queen of a Rome. She refuses and Tarquin proceeds to threaten to kill her and leave her body next to her slave if she doesn’t have sex with him. Lucretia is raped and later informs her family of the incident. Lucretia commits suicide because Roman blood can’t be tainted and because the state is more important than you. In revenge, the aristocrats topple Tarquin the Proud, thus, starting a republic and ending the monarchy.
What is the main difference in the beginning of the 2 versions of the Romulus and Remus stories?
One version claims that their mother was impregnated by Mars and the mother was told not to keep them and the other states that their parents were killed and an evil uncle puts them down the river.
How many hills surround Rome?
There are 7 hills that surround Rome.
What was located in the heart of Rome?
The Forum was located in the heart of Rome. It was a political and civic center with temples and public buildings.
What were the requirements for being an Aedile?
Being an Aedile required previous quaestorship and originally required one to be a plebeian.
Why did quaestorship require at least 10 years of military experience?
Quaestorship required military experience because quaestors oversaw finances in military and treasury. It was the lowest political position on the Cursus Honorum.
What position was next in line for non-Plebeian Quaestors?
Non-Plebeian Quaestors skipped Aedile and moved on to become Praetors, where their next position would finally be in the Senate.
How did checks and balances work in Rome?
Checks and balances dealt with class warfare. It needed to be ensured that one class is not blatantly more powerful than the other.
What differentiated Plebeians from Patricians?
Plebeians could not show their lineage back to Rome’s founders unlike Patricians. Plebeians also couldn’t run for public office originally.
When all politicians were former military men, how did one stand out from the rest?
Winning and being victorious in battle would allow a politician to stand out.
Why was there a several year gap between the founding of the republic and the posting of the 12 Tablets?
Patricians were aware of the unposted laws but Plebeians were not. Patricians would take advantage of the Plebeians with fake laws that were believed to be unposted but in reality, did not exist.
Who are the Consul?
Consul were one of two Patrician senators chosen to supervise the business of government and command the armies. In a sense, they were similar to a Prime Minister.
What does “Res Publica” mean?
It means “that which belongs to the people”.
What is a Republic?
A republic is a system of government where the people chose someone (a representative) to represent them.
What happens to a law if it gets vetoed?
A vetoed law cannot be overturned. If the creators want it to be passed, it must be sent through the entire process all over again.
What is a Legion?
A Legion is a basic military unit of 5,000 men.
Who made up the Senate and what did they did do?
The senate was made up of 300 landholding upper class Patricians who made laws, advised Consul and ratified decisions.
Who was Cincinattus?
Cincinattus was a dictator who was selected by the Senate when the Aequi presented a threat. During times of war, the Senate were allowed to select an individual to become dictator and have complete control of the government for 6 months. Cincinnatus returned to his farmstead after vanquishing the Aequi in about 15 days.
How did voting work in Rome?
Voting was done in units (Centuriate) in similar fashion to the electoral college in our country’s current system. There was no system of absentee ballots. If you wanted to vote, you needed to be in Rome and you needed to vote in person. One man did not equal one vote.
What is the Cursus Honorum?
The Cursus Honorum is a set of laws and customs that include the sequence of political positions, which a politician followed to advance.
What are Censors and what did they do?
Censors maintained official list of Roman citizens and determined if they “acted Roman”. If not, their name would be erased (hence “censored”) from the list. Censor was a very prestigious political position in Rome.
What is the Official Designation of Rome?
The Official Designation of Rome is S.P.Q.R, or Senatus Populus que Romanus.
What are the Laws of the 12 Tablets?
They were 12 bronze tablets that were posted in Rome’s marketplace, the Forum. The government oversaw the tablets’ inscription as these were the laws that would later be displayed to all Roman citizens.
15 years after monarchy in Rome was removed, the Plebeians seceded and moved across the Tiber River. They formed their own assembly, the Council of the Plebs. Why did the Patricians care when they seceded?
The Patricians cared because Plebs served as infantry, servants, and bread makers among other things.
What does the Latin word “Lex” mean in English?
“Lex” means law.
What assembly was formed when Patricians still refused to allow Plebs to join the Senate? What could they do? How many members were there and why?
The Tribune of the Plebs was formed. They could veto (and even veto a veto) and start or cancel a session. There were 10 members rather than 1 to avoid bribes.
How were laws named in Rome?
Laws were named after the creator’s name in feminine form. For example, Lex Julia was written by Julius Caesar.
What is Lex Hortensia?
Lex Hortensia, written by Hortensius, is a law that allowed marriage into a Plebeian family, allowed all men to run for public office, and made it so that Plebeian laws would also apply to Patricians.
How could a Plebeian become a Patrician?
A Plebeian could become a Patrician by marrying into a Patrician family or being adopted by one. A high infant mortality rate and the spreading of the family name if an individual were to only have female children provided an incentive to adopt a Pleb.
What year was Lex Hortensia written and published?
The law was published in 287 B.C.E.
What years were the Punic Wars fought?
The Punic Wars were fought from 264 B.C.E to 146 B.C.E.
What did Rome do in response to the Gallic Invasion?
Rome built a fortified wall, known as the Severn Wall.
Who allied in attempt to expel Rome?
In the Battle of Samnium, the Etruscans and Gauls (among other peoples) allied to expel Rome.
Describe Roman armies and how they were paid.
Roman armies were composed of citizen soldiers and were organized into 4 legions containing 5,000 men each. They were paid with a portion of spoils (things obtained from war) including land.
Why were citizen soldiers in Rome effective?
They were raised to value courage and loyalty, and to respect authority.
Who were the Sons of Mars?
The Sons of Mars were Italian mercenaries hired by Syracuse to fight Carthage. They eventually take over Messana and become its ruler due to their fondness of Sicily. As rulers of Messana, they requested help from Rome to expel Carthage. Rome intervened and justified this intervention by claiming the rescue was due to them belonging to same ethnic group. The real reason was Sicily’s grain.
Why was the island of Sicily desirable for Rome and Carthage?
The island of Sicily was desirable for its grain.
Who did Rome hire to build a navy for themselves in the 1st Punic War? What did they build?
Rome hired Corinth to build a navy because they needed to fight Carthage at sea. Corinth builds triremes. A Carthaginian shipwreck is found in Italy and is later replicated for the Roman navy. Rome ended up utilizing triremes, warships similar to triremes, and a new type of ship. This new ship was equipped with a spiked gangplank that allowed Romans to cross over to the enemy ship. This device was known as a “Corvus” which was Latin for “crow”.
Who led most Carthaginians in the 1st Punic War?
Hamilcar Barca led most Carthaginians in the 1st Punic War.
Who won the 1st Punic War and what was the significance of the victory?
Rome won and their capture of Sicily means they now have an oversea province. Carthage lost Sicily and has to pay a small tribute to Rome for 10 years. Additionally, Rome now possessed a professional-standing army.
Who was Hannibal and what did he do in the 2nd Punic War?
Hannibal was the son of Hamilcar Barca. After Rome takes the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, Hannibal take command of the Carthage force in Spain. He sought to expand Carthage rule in Spain and began to control more and more Spanish ports. He crossed Pyrenees and the Alps in winter, bringing 40,000 troops and 37 elephants with him. Half of the men died. He is able to rebuild his army when he finally reaches Italy and catches Rome off guard.
What happens in the Battle of Cannae?
In the Battle of Cannae, over 50,000 Romans were killed in about an hour. Among the dead includes consul, Lucius Aemilius Pauluss.
How did Hannibal Barca die?
Hannibal committed suicide after being exiled. He was exiled because Carthage understood how much Rome wanted him dead. After numerous assassination attempts from Rome, Hannibal realized Carthage would never be as great as it once was. Thus, he took his own life.
What was Hannibal’s battle formation in the Battle of Cannae?
Hannibal placed his heavy troops in a crescent moon shaped bulging outwards. This led Rome to believe they were advancing and they proceeded to advance themselves. Upon their advancement, Carthage formed into a crescent moon bulging outwards. This left Roman heavy troops almost completely surrounded. They escaped through a gap from which Carthaginian cavalry picked them off.
In combat, why is it never a good thing to completely surround an enemy?
A completely surrounded enemy will acknowledge their inevitable demise and will proceed to fight to the death. Leaving a gap open would force them to retreat, where the enemy can be picked off efficiently.
What did Hannibal do after winning The Battle of Cannae?
Hannibal stayed in Italy for 16 years after winning The Battle of Cannae.
What happened in the Battle of Zama?
Carthage deployed 80 elephants, who unfortunately got spooked. Carthage was led by Hannibal and Rome was led by Scipio, a general who forced Carthage out of Spain previously. After Rome won this battle, the Senate gave Scipio a new last name, “Africanus”.
Who was Cato the Elder?
Cato the Elder was a Roman censor who was strongly in favor of going to war with Carthage for the third time. He claimed that Carthage, though extremely weak at the time, was still a threat to Rome. He was eventually able to convince the Senate of this. Subsequently, this began The 3rd Punic War.
What happened in the 3rd Punic War?
After Cato the Elder convinced the Roman Senate that Carthage was a threat, Rome took over Carthage claiming that they “found weapons”. However, Carthage at the time actually possessed no army and was then besieged. Any survivors were killed or sold into slavery.
How was Rome able to defeat Carthage in the Punic Wars?
One reason is Rome’s new and innovative navy. They hired Corinth, who mainly made triremes and similar warships. Corinth was even able to replicate a Carthaginian ship that crash landed on the Italian coast. A spiked gangplank known as a “Corvus” was placed on the ship, which allowed Rome to cross over onto the enemy’s ship. Another reason is Rome forcing Hannibal to leave Italy. Rome was winning battles in North Africa as well as Spain, causing Hannibal to retreat back to these areas. Finally, a censor known as Cato the Elder was able to convince the Roman Senate that weak Carthage was still a growing threat. His persuasion eventually led to Rome destroying Carthage in third and final Punic War. A large portion of Rome’s victory in the 3rd Punic War is attributed to Carthage having no weapons.
What can be learned about the Romans from The Aeneid?
We learn that Roman push to conquer was divine. The sole reason for Aeneas’ journey is that Jupiter told him so. Next, it displays that Romans are not from Rome. This story claims they were from Troy. Finally, it shows that they obeyed their superiors. Even though Aeneas felt he should defend his homeland rather than found a new city, he obeyed Jupiter, his superior, and founded that city.
