Chapter 5 - An Age of Empires: Rome and Han China 753BCE-600CE Flashcards
Republic
The period from which 507 to 31 BCE, during which Rome was largely governed by the aristocratic Roman Senate
Senate
A council whose members were the heads of wealthy, landowning familes. Originally an advisory body to the early kings, in the era of the Roman Republic the senate effectively governed the Roman state and the Growing empire.
Patron/Client Relationship
A fundamental social relationship in which the patron, a powerful individual provided legal and economic protection to clients in return for support in the Patron’s economic and political interests.
Principate
A term used to characterize roman government in the first three centuries based on the ambiguous title princeps adopted by Augustus to conceal his military dictatorship.
Augustus
Honorific name of Octavian, founder of Roman Principate. Military dictatorship that replaced Roman Senate rule.
Equites
In Ancient Italy, prosperous landowners second in wealth and status to the senatorial aristocracy.
Pax Romana
Roman Peace, connoted stability and prosperity that roman rule brought to the land of the Roman Empire
Romanization
The process in which the Latin language and Roman Culture became dominant in western provinces
Jesus
A jew from Galilee in northern Israel who sought to reform Jewish beliefs and practices. He was executed as a revolutionary by the Romans.
Paul
A Jew from the Greek city of Tarsus in Anatolia, he initially prosecutes Jesus’ followers. After a revelation in Damascus, he becomes a christian and establishes churches.
Aqueduct
A conduit, elevated or underground, that used gravity to carry water from city to city
Third Century Crisis
Political and economic turmoil that beset the Roman empire during much of the third century, frequent changes of rulers and civil wars occured
Constantine
Roman emperor, Moves capital to constantinople and changes christianity in to a favored religion.
Qin
A people and state in the Wei Valley of china that conquered rival states and created the first empire. The Qin ruler was Shi Huangdi, he standardized Chinese society and was ruthless
Shi Huangdi
Founder of the Qin dynasty, remembered for ruthless conquests and forced labor on Terracotta soldiers
Han
Term used to designate the ethnic Chinese who originated in the Yellow River Valley
Xiongnu
Confederation of nomadic peoples living on the northwest frontier of China. Many emperors created barriers to exclude these barbarians.
Sima Qian
Chief astrologer for the Han dynasty emperor Wu. Composed a monumental history of China from legendary origins to his own time and regarded the father of history.
Chang’an
City in Wei valley in eastern China. Capital of Qin and Early Han empires.
Gentry
Class of prosperous families, next to rural aristocrats. Were educated and had expertise, a privileged class. Also ran the government