glossary Flashcards
principate
the political system that replaced the roman republic. it had a façade of republicanism, retaining many of the positions and apparatus. however the princeps monopolized power and ruled.
princeps
the ‘first citizens’ that Augustus first adopted as a title in 27 BCE. his successors would hold it and amongst other titles and powers denoted the leader of the roman empire.
imperator
originally a military title given to the equivalent of a commander. came to be used as a title by emperors
pater patriae
father of the country
recusatio imperii
the ritual refusal of power by a new emperor
magistrate
elected official in the roman government
cursus honorum
the ladder of office climbed by senators in their quest fir the consulship. this led through successive magistracies
senate
council of nobles forming part of the political institution of rome. advisory body to the magistrates and the emperor. they were mostly former magistrates
triumph
a parade organised for a successful military commander, later reserved mainly for the imperial family
consul
senior magistrates who were head of government during republic. two elected each year. during principate, more of a stepping stone to commands in provinces/army
praetor
second most important office, administrates justice
aedile
roman magistrate who maintain city of rome, markets and arranging public festivals and games
quaestor
finance
pax augusta
augustun peace, the period of time where augustus ruled where there was peace and stability in the empire.
auctoritas
a political quality of an individual, similar to authority or influence. having it meant you were able to affect politics/society without holding official office
potestas
official political power that an official or magistrate would have as a position in the cursus honorum
curia
the name given to the senate house
praetorian guard
the emperors body guard. the only troops allowed inside rome and held considerable influence in the succession of some emperors
imperium
supreme authority the power to do something or command bestowed on consuls and praetors to reflect their roles and responsibilities. supreme form held by emperor
proconsular imperium maius
imperium in the provinces that is greater ‘maius’ than that of anyone else. therefore the emperor was able to overrule any proconsul
tribuncician potestas
having the power of a tribune-traditionally those responsible with defending their fellow plebians against patrician injustice. they could call the senate, introduce legislature and veto decisions
pomerium
the sacred boundry around the city of rome
censor
a politician responsible for maintaining the census, supervising public morality, and overseeing certain aspects of the government’s finances. appointed by senate. the origin of the modern meaning of the word “censorship”
lustrum
the official purification ceremony that marked the completion of the census
imperial cult
the incorporation and worship of the emperor and members of his family into roman religion. they could be deified or go through apotheosis to become a god.
numen
the divinity of a person
genius
the spirit of a person or place
provincial governor
senators or knights who ruled the provinces of the roman empire. generally a governed of a senatorial province was a proconsul while an imperial province was governed by a legate
praefectus urbi
the prefect of rome, an office created by augustus that had power over the daily administration of rome
patrician
traditionally the oldest part of rome’s aristocracy who could trace their bloodline back to the original nobility
plebeian
common people, lower classes of citizens
equestrians
members of rome’s second class of nobility. also known as knights. there was a wealth classification and formed the basis of the merchant of professional class in the city
largesse
great generosity, usually lavish gifts of food or money
congiarium
money given to the plebeians at important events in relation to the imperial family
consilium princips
a council set up by augustus to prepare the agenda for the senate. it consisted of augustus the consuls and fifteen senators. it was reconstituted every six months
princeps iuventutis
leader of the youth a title given to indicate the potential as successors
