Exam 2 Flashcards
Who were the publicani? What was their function?
The publicani were private individuals who performed work on behalf of Rome for the Roman state, like collect taxes. They were used to collect taxes.
What was prorogation? What was its function? Why was it necessary?
Prorogation was the extension of an office-holder’s term. It’s function was to extend the term of office holders. It was necessary because sometimes office holders did not accomplish everything they wanted to in the time that they had in office.
In what period were generals permitted to make treaties? In what way did this empower them?
After the 2nd Punic War. This empowered them by allowing them more freedom to negotiate more quickly without having a constant back-and-forth with the Senate. But the Senate did not always ratify the treaties.
How did Roman interventions in the East differ from those in Italy and North Africa?
Whereas in Italy and North Africa, Rome was more interested in having a permanent military residence, Romans were more interested in exercising authority and having access to natural resources in the East.
What circumstances provoked the 1st Macedonian War?
Philip, the leader of Macedon, is interested in expanding his power into Greece. After Cannae, Philip attempts to join forces with Hannibal. Rome declares war on Philip. War is a draw.
Why did Rome get involved in a third military conflict with Carthage?
There was a conflict between the Carthaginians and Masinissa, king of the Numidians. Romans, who were already suspicious of Carthage, took this opportunity to besiege Carthage and destroy the city.
Who said “Carthage must be destroyed”? Why? What did the Romans do to prevent Carthage from regaining its strength and once again becoming a military rival?
Cato the Elder. He was suspicious of Carthage since the First and Second Punic Wars. Romans at first took away their fleet and made them pay indemnities, but eventually destroyed Carthage during the Third Punic War.
How did Rome treat the African cities that remained loyal to Carthage after the 3rd Punic War?
Rome imposed heavy penalties on them.
Describe two problems caused by the growing divide between rich and poor in the aftermath of the Punic Wars. How did this redistribution of wealth affect the city of Rome?
Two problems caused by the growing divide between the rich and poor were slavery and the fact that the poor really didn’t own land. The redistribution of wealth caused the Roman elite to have more control over land, but they also beautified the city.
List two ways that Greek culture begins to influence Roman culture in the post-Punic Wars period. Describe Roman attitudes toward teachers of rhetoric. Why did the senate ban the worship of Bacchus?
Greek culture influenced Roman culture through religion and literature. Romans distrusted Greek rhetoric because it was persuasion without morality. The senate banned the worship of Bacchus because they were uncomfortable with their rituals, which involved poison and orgies.
What made the process of seeking election to office, particularly the higher offices of praetor and consul, so competitive?
Candidates had to climb up through the cursus honorum. They also had to serve in the military, meet age requirements, and were limited in re-election. As they climb the cursus honorum, higher positions allow less people to hold office.
What is the distinction between a noble and a patrician?
A noble was a person whose ancestor had been chosen consul. A patrician was a person descended from the original 100 senators.
What was an imago? What function did it have? what role did the imago play in an election? In the funeral procession? What role did actors play?
An imago was a funeral procession that displayed the dead person. This would allow the opportunity of a member of the family to speak about their deceased family member; giving him the opportunity to show how well he speaks and could potentially help him if he’s running for election. Actors would dress in the deceased member’s clothing and would make gestures that they used to make.
How did the Romans ensure that someone was really dead? Why did they place the dead body on the ground? Where was the body of the dead family member displayed? Where was the public eulogy delivered? Who delivered it?
They ensured someone was really dead by shouting their name three times. They placed the dead body on the ground to symbolize that the individual is going back to “mother earth”. The body member is displayed in the atrium of the house. The public eulogy was given in the Roman Forum, and was given by the male member of the family (the person in charge of the family).
What was the original function of the triumph? Who awarded one to a general? How did the general dress in the triumphal parade? Who was he supposed to resemble?
Originally was a means of purifying the army and thanking the gods. It later became an opportunity to glorify a general and his achievements. The senate decided whether the general received a triumph or not. The general dressed in gold & purple and rode a 4-horse chariot (so that he was made to look like Jupiter).
Name two participants in the triumphal procession, apart from the general and his troops. Why were the troops and crowd permitted to shout curses at the triumphant general? Name two types of monuments that generals had built to commemorate their victories.
Other than the general and his troops, there were also prisoners, and trumpeters playing music as they marched . The troops and crowd were permitted to shout curses at the triumphant general to celebrate libertas (freedom of speech), it was also to remind the general he was still able to be subject to rude treatment. Generals built temples, victory arches and columns; etc.
What is the lowest position on the cursus honorum? The highest? Why was
regularized?
The lowest office was the quaestor while the highest office was the consul. It was regularized to keep young and ambitious people from jumping their way above more well-qualified candidates who had already held offices.
What was unusual about Scipio Aemilianus’ election as consul? Why was an exception made in his case?
He was considerably below the minimum age for consul, and he had yet to hold the office of praetor. Basically the people wanted him in that position, because of his grandfather’s and father’s military might.
