Key Terms Flashcards
Numa Pompilius
“First” King of Rome, chosen by Senate, foreigner from Sabine
Ruled by justice, law, and proper observances (rituals to appease gods)
instilled and maintained peace
“Religious King” archetype
his goal was to transform Rome from a war-like state to a peaceful state by instituting a number of religious rites, priesthoods, etc. to turn people’s focus to living well to obtain goodwill of gods
Romulus
one of twins born of Rhea Silva (Remus and Romulus)
founder of Rome on Palatine Hill
legend of being born of Mars, surviving Tiber river as an infant, washing upon shores of Palatine hill (fig tree; landmark), raised by “she-wolf” (Laurentia), kills twin brother to rule Rome
The wall of Romulus
Romulus aimed to fortify Palatine Hill by building a wall around it.
Evidence arose in ~2007 of a wall being built around 9/8thc BCE giving credence to Romulus’ wall
Palatine Hill
site of twins’ childhood upbringing, site of formation of Rome, one of main 7 hills of Rome
Forum later formed between Palatine and Capitoline hills
Rape of Sabine Women
To build Rome’s population, Romulus “stole” women from the neighboring city of Sabine. He opened Rome as a type of ‘asylum’/penal city to criminals, second sons, and other exiled men. Romulus then through a festival in which the daughters of Sabine were “married” (read: raped by) to the men brought into Rome.
Ruler of Sabines, Titus Tatius, leads army to Rome and they eventually reach a truce which allies Sabine and Rome, increasing Rome’s forming population.
Tarquin the Proud (“Superbus”)
basically ends the monarchy due to his cruelty
he inherits the crown from his father Tarquin the First after brutally murdering Servius Tillius.
After raping Lucretia (see Rape of Lucretia), he instigates a rebellion which ends Tarquin dynasty.
the name “superbus” was given due to his actions (forbidding his own father’s burial, rules by force and violence, literally murders anyone who opposes him)
Servius Tillius
“servius” almost a term for a servant
part of Tarquin the First’s household, Tarquin’s wife Tanaquil legend (Tullius bursts into flames when asleep, Tanaquil forbids anyone to put flames out until he wakes of his own accord, Tullius awakes and flames die out)
Tarquin was an Etruscan king, when other “Roman” born want to be king, Tanaquil pushes Tillius (someone from her household) to be the 6th King of Rome.
Brutus
“Stupid” Brutus
very clever because he never said anything, plotted carefully
Basically he goes with King Tarquin the Proud’s sons to see the oracle of Delphi who tells the sons that the next king of Rome will be the one who kisses his mother first. The sons immediately run to their own mother while Brutus kisses the ground (Mother Earth is mother to all). After the Rape of Lucretia (see card), Brutus stages a coup. He brings her dead body to the Forum and bars out Tarquin’s army, effectively deposing the Tarquin dynasty and ending the Kings of Rome.
Rape of Lucretia
Tarquin the Proud’s sons are debating whose daughter is the most beautiful when a man claims that his daughter, Lucretia, is the most beautiful, Roman, queenly, and domestic. The sons race to see her and confirm this when Tarquin the Proud exclaims he will be the one to have her. She refuses and Tarquin threatens to kill her and a servant and claim that the servant tried to rape her resulting in both of their deaths. Lucretia gives in but then explains these events to her father and proceeds to kill herself.
This event leads to Brutus’ coup and the end of Tarquin’s reign.
“Rex” in Rome
Archaeological evidence in the forms of a black stone and other clay inscriptions indicate one referred to as “Rex” or recei, the latin word for King. This gives credence to the idea that there was someone called a King who had the power to receive gifts and arrange mass construction, economy, etc.
Polybius
Greek author who wrote a “universal history” focusing on Rome’s expansion from middle of 3rd century to own day.
- active in Greek political & military matters
- 167 on, lived in Rome => become close with key members of Roman elite
Volsinii
Etruscan city, forced into dependent status to Rome in 280s-70s.
- 265BCE, most powerful families lost control of Volsinii and sought Roman help
- Marcus Fulvius Flaccus (consul in 264) destroyed city, allowed survivors to settle nearby
- any civic unrest in allied cities, Rome helped leading families, easier to make them submit
Twelve Tables
Consolidation of ancient Roman Law and earlier traditions which formed a code of legislation.
- strong focus on debt collection, creditor responsible for getting debtor to court, allowed to sell debtor into slavery but NOT in Rome, also could have debtor work for creditor until debt is paid
- very specific, focus on family/household centered social life
Siege of Saguntum (219 BCE)
Hannibal wants to start a war with Rome so his first move is to take Saguntum.
- historical issue => Saguntum is South of the Ebro River so it’s technically Carthagian land so there shouldn’t have been a problem with Rome…however, there may have been a private treaty previously struck b/w Rome and Saguntum
- Hannibal’s just trying to demonstrate Carthage’s control S. of Ebro, Rome sends and embassy demanding Hannibal => effectively declares war with Hannibal
Battle of Cannae (216 BCE)
Hannibal brutally defeats Roman armies in Cannae. Rome had sent her entire military force and Hannibal surrounds and decimates them. This was a HUGE defeat for Rome and crippled her power.
- Romans blamed this on the behavior of 2 consuls => L. Aemilius Paullus and C. Terentius Varro
- Big Question: Where the fuck do we get people to fight for us now???
Fabius Maximus
known as very docile, aka lambkin
- “Shield” part of Shield and Sword…he’s elected consul and basically leads Hannibal around to buy the Romans time to recover their defenses
- goal is to ensure the safety of Roman troops
