Roman Empire Flashcards
What does Augustus mean?
Exalted one
What did Augustus use his wealth and political skill for?
to take control of the army and secure the peoples support
What did Augustus do that served him dictator-like powers?
won over the senate
What was Augustus?
the emperor of rome
Why did Augustus’s powers that could be passed down to a successor make Romans uneasy?
They didn’t want to return to the rule of harsh kings
Why did Romans accept Augustus?
he moved slowly, carefully, legally
What did Augustus’ reign begin?
the pax romana
What does pax romana mean?
roman peace
Why was the pax romana possible?
because augustus tackled long standing problems
What changed did augustus make?
guaranteed free handouts of grain
paid officials walking in government
built impossible monuments in rome
cut size of army in 2, granted out of work veterans land
made a standardized pay, conditions, oath of loyalty for the army
who were the only soldiers stationed in rome?
elite praetorian guard
what did augustus create? (in terms of military)
rome’s first permanent navy to protect coasts and trade
How was roman culture extended by soldiers?
some military camps became permenent settlements. soldiers there often stayed in the community after retirement
what did augustus do if an area looked difficult to conquer outright?
he would support the local ruler. in return, they would need to provide military aid
what made travel easier?
roads bridges tunnels made by soliders
how did the roads stimulate economy?
by making it easier to transport goods
what did the introduction of a standard currency help with?
trade
why was the center of the road slightly higher than the edges?
to help rain run into drainage ditches
why were roads built wide and straight?
to make marches shorter and easier
What did romans use as material for buildings?
a stronger versioin of concrete
what was roman architecture modeled on?
greek architecture except romans used arches, vaults, doomes
why did romans use arches?
easy and cheap to buid
what did aqueducts do?
carried clean water from hilltops to cities and towns
What is the colosseum?
world largest amphitheatre
why did emperors pay for the games at the colosseum?
to distract the poor from their problems
what were villas?
large country hoses made to impress
what was an expensive feature in villas?
mosaic floors
where did romans learn the art of painting frescoes from?
ancient greek
what is a fresco?
a picture painted directly on the wall
What did romans use to emphasize their position in society?
art
why is pomepii so speical?
when the mt erupted, its ash buries people alive, and it helped preserve its contents
which mountain in pompeii erupted?
mt. vesuvius
what did scientists do with the empty spaces made by the victims in the ash?
poured plaster into them to imagine people at the moment of their death
