Chapter 5- Rome Flashcards
Republic
Government “that which belongs to the people” the people choose some of the officials. The Romans thought this would prevent any individual from gaining too much power.
Etruscans
People who inhabited italy north of Rome.
Patrician
Members of the Roman land holding upper class
Plebian
The class of merchants, farmers, and artisans who made up most of the roman population. They had the legal rights of citizenship but little influence
Consul
2 consuls were originally chosen from the patricians class. Their Job was to supervise the business of government and command the armies.
Dictator
A ruler who has complete rule over government. In roman republic dictators were appointed in times of crisis or war, they could only rule for 6 months.
Tribune
Official elected by other plebeians to protect their interests
Veto
The act of blocking laws that are felt to be harmful
Legion
A basic military unit made up of 5,000 men
Aedile
Oversaw public works projects and food
Praetor
Plebeians eligible- legal offices- stood in office when consuls away
Questor
Finances and military budget
Censor
Must be consul first- keeps list of citizens
Carthage
A city-state on the northern coast of Africa settled by North Africans and phonesian traders, ruled an empire that stretched across n. Africa and the western Mediterranean, and parts of Spain
Hannibal
A Carthaginian General led his army in 218 bc he led his army in the second Punic war, using dozens of war elephants on a march across the Pyrenees, through France, and over the alps into Italy, traveled across Italy for 15 years. -failed to capture Rome -
Imperialism
Establishing control over foreign lands and people
Latifundia
Huge farming estates where people captured on war were forced to work as slaves
Tiberius and gaius gracchus
Plebeian brothers, who were some of the first to attempt reform. Tiberius -was elected as a tribune in 133 bc, called on the state to distribute land to poor farmers. Gaius- elected a tribune 10 years later, reforms included the use of public funds to buy grains to feed the poor. The brothers and thousands of their followers because the senate saw them as a threat to power
Julius Ceasar
A dictator, and ambitious military commander. Completed the conquest of Gaul. Pushed many reforms to deal with Romes many problems. -launched a program of public works, gave land to the poor, reorganized the government of the provinces, and granted roman citizenship to more people. - Was killed in March of 44bc by enmities who stabbed him to death.
Pompey
A general who dominated roman politics along side Caesar. He persuaded the senate to order Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome, secretly led his army across the rubicon river into northern Italy heading to Rome. Caesar crushed Pompey in this civil war.
Octavian/Augustus
Caesars grandnephew who joined with Antony to find his murderers, and defeated Antony in a battle for power in 31 bc. He exercised total power and named his successor as a king would. Ruled until ad 41. Unknowingly dawned the age of the Roman Empire becoming the first roman emperor
Mark Antony
Caesars chief general. joined forces with Octavian to hunt down Caesars murderers. Allies with Cleopatra of Egypt. Was defeated by Octavian in 31 bc
Hadrian
A “good emperor” codified roman laws, making it the same for all provinces, and had soldiers build a wall across Britain to hold back attackers from the non-roman north
Nero
A successor of Augustus who viciously persecuted Christians and was blamed for setting a fire that destroyed much of Rome
