Key terms Flashcards
Republic
a form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders
Patrician
the wealthy landowners, held most of the power, inherited their power and social status & claimed that their ancestry gave them the authority to make laws
Plebeian
the common farmers, artisans, and merchants - the majority of the population were citizens of Rome with the right to vote but barred by law from holding most important government positions
Tribune
protects the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials
Consul
elected by the assembly for one year, chief executive of the government and commanders
Senate
chosen from aristocracy for life – controls foreign and financial policies, advises consuls
Dictator
a ruler with total power over a country, absolute ruler
Legion
made up of 5,000 heavily armed foot soldiers, supported by cavalry, further divided into smaller groups of 80 men - a century.
Punic Wars
wars fought between Rome and Carthage, Between 264 and 146 B.C.
Hannibal
Carthaginian general, won his greatest victory at Cannae
civil war
a war between citizens of the same country
Julius Caesar
military leader, one of the three rules in the triumvirate, later a governor of Gaul, later appointed a dictator for life, made a number of reforms: granted citizenship to many people, expanded the senate, helped the poor by creating jobs
Triumvirate
a group of three rulers
Augustus
Rome’s ablest emperor. He stabilized the frontier, glorified Rome with splendid public buildings, and created a system of government that survived for centuries.
Pax Romana
Roman peace, period of peace and prosperity