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Roman Empire Flashcards

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1
Q

Age of Augustus - Rome’s Golden Age - Emperors

A

~Roman Empire existed 500 years as a military dictatorship

~Emperors either dominated or were dominated by the army

~Some devoted to Empire’s welfare, others sought personal advantage

~Only a few were qualified

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2
Q

Octavian

A

Became known as Augustus Caesar - given titles by Senate

Augustus - sacred majesty/exalted one/ the venerable

Imperator - commander-in-chief of the Roman armies

Princep - first citizen

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3
Q

Augustus’ accomplishments - Maintained Peace - Army

A

army that was loyal to Rome not demagogues

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4
Q

Augustus’ Accomplishments - Maintained Peace - Stabilized Government

A

a) using only most qualified citizens as administrators, regardless of class
b) reduced corruption by improving local admin
c) created an efficient civil service, where people were given salaries
d) ordered complete census to ensure fair taxes

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5
Q

Augustus’ Accomplishments - Maintained Peace - Developed Trade and Industry

A

a) good system of roads built - Appian Way
b) many provinces to trade with because the empire was so large
c) no trade barriers - no tariffs or taxes

encouraged science, art, and literature

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6
Q

Pax Romana - 27 BC–180 AD

A

“Peace of Rome” - Rome gave Mediterranean world peace, law, and good gov’t

provincial governors tried not to interfere with customs and religions of areas

efficient gov’t changed people’s attitude

citizenship given to people within the empire

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7
Q

Greek Influence

A

philosophy, literature, science, architecture, language, and law

Hellenism spread by Alexander the Great around 330 BC

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8
Q

Roman Law

A

developed legal principles that still live today in many countries

all men are equal, etc.

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9
Q

Roman Philosophy - Epicurus - Epicureanism

A

1) concerned with human happiness
2) happiness is defined as freedom from pain
3) this could be achieved by living a calm, simple life
4) some people later emphasized personal enjoyment over conduct
5) came to mean a person fond of luxury and pleasure

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10
Q

Roman Philosophy - Zeno - Stoicism

A

1) stressed the ideal of the brotherhood of mankind
2) they believed that human happiness was the greatest good
3) taught that a divine lawgiver had a fixed plan for the universe
4) believed that happiness resulted from living in harmony with nature
5) you should accept what life brought
6) all people are basically alike because we all share the power of reason, including misfortune

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11
Q

Augustus Caesar - 31 BC – 14 AD - Augustan Age

A

greatest emperor, led Rome to greatness

Christ born during his reign

decreed that strict moral standards should be adhered to

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12
Q

Tiberius - 14 AD – 37 AD

A

Stepson of Augustus

good emperor, though suspicious of assassination towards end, cruel

lacked charisma of Augustus, alienated Senate with personal moodiness

left empire with secure boundaries and a healthy treasury

Jesus killed during his reign

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13
Q

Caligula - 37 AD – 41 AD

A

great grandson of Augustus and Marc Antony

Caligula means “little boot” - liked an nicknamed by the military

went mad after a few months as emperor demanded to be worshipped as god (Jupiter)

considered making his horse a consul

killed by his own praetorian guard (palace troops)

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14
Q

Claudius - 41 AD – 54 AD

A

placed in power by praetorian guard because they thought they could control him

good ruler, conquered southern Britain, learned scholar, expanded empire

limped, stammered, polio

fourth wife, Agrippina poisoned hime with mushrooms so her son Nero inherits the throne

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15
Q

Nero - 54 AD – 68 AD

A

stepson of Claudius

cruel, vain man, killed mother and wife at urging of his mistress

considered himself great actor and musician

burning of Rome occurred during his reign

Olympics-awarded himself laurels prior to events

began first large scale persecution of Christians including Peter and Paul

committed suicide before military could kill him – ordered by Senate

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16
Q

Year of Four Emperor - Civil War hits Rome

A

Galba - 68 – 69AD

Otho - 69 AD

Vitellius - 69 AD

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17
Q

Flavian Emperors - Vespasian - 69 AD – 79 AD

A

able and just ruler, plainspoken and practical soldier from Italian middle class

Jerusalem destroyed in 70 AD after Jewish uprising

thriftiness restored economy

recruited Senators from the western provinces

had loyalty of the military

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18
Q

Flavian Emperors - Titus - 79 AD – 81 AD

A

extremely popular

arch dedicated to him

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19
Q

Flavian Emperors - Domitian - 81 AD – 96 AD

A

stern ruler, tyrant, fierce persecutor of Christians

established forts and defense along Rhine and Danube Rivers

distrusted in Senate, persecuted his opponents in reign of terror

murdered in a palace conspiracy that included his wife

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20
Q

Five Good Emperors - Nerva - 96 AD – 98 AD

A

kind and honest leader

21
Q

Five Good Emperors - Trajan - 98 AD – 117 AD

A

first emperor born in the provinces - Spain

began Pantheon temple to Roman gods

distinguished soldier and statesman – becomes one of Rome’s most beloved leaders

had aggressive wars and extended empire to farthest extent

initiated an impressive building program throughout the empire

concerned with creating social welfare system, distributed food to poor children

22
Q

Five Good Emperors - Hadrian - 117 AD – 138 AD

A

peace and reform - administered empire well

restless traveler with passion for Greek culture - upper class was appalled by his Greek dress etc.

aloof with Senate - displeased them

reformed civil service, suppressed Jewish revolt, continued construction of roads

Hadrian’s wall built in England

disliked by wife, she publicly announced they would never have children

23
Q

Five Good Emperors - Antoninus Pius - 138 AD – 161 AD

A

called “the father of mankind” - kindly ruler, peaceful reign

legions inactive during his reign, ill prepared for future fighting

24
Q

Five Good Emperors - Marcus Aurelius - 161 AD – 180 AD

A

excellent, humane, energetic ruler, soldier, scholar, stoic

war dominated his reign

fought against Germanic tribes who crossed into empire

Stoic philosopher - good is determined by the state of the soul

famous book - Meditations - stoic reflections on the virtuous life

died of plague

25
Q

Commodus - 180 AD – 192 AD

A

strange character and cruel ruler

found gladiator games in the colosseum more interesting than affairs of state

murdered by a wrestler

26
Q

Barrack Emperors - 192 AD – 284 AD

A

turbulent, unstable time

collapse of Roman gov’t first show itself during 3rd century

lack of definitive success to throne - choice of emperors made by army

33 emperors raised to throne, all but 4 met violent deaths

27
Q

Two Strong Emperors - Diocletian - 284 AD – 305 AD

A

stern officer ascended to throne when empire was at point of collapse

first he abolished all old forms of republican gov’t

established absolute monarchy

tried to establish set method of succession

28
Q

Diocletian’s Division of the Empire

A

Kept empire united, but divided it into 2 administrative parts

1) each ruled by “Augustus”
2) each Augustus adopted younger man called “Caesar”
a) “Caesar” was assistant and successor
b) they shared burden of governing
c) further divided into prefectures

made himself Augustus of West, Maximian, trusted general, made Augustus of East

economic collapse - gov’t required people by law to stay in certain jobs

29
Q

Two Strong Emperors - Constantine the Great - 312 AD – 337 AD

A

after 20 years both Augustus’ stepped down, succession plan broke down – Constantius, new West Augustus died and there were 3 claimants to throne

312 - became West Augustus - won battle of Milvian Bridge

323 - defeated East Augustus to reunite empire

same political and economic policies as Diocletian

succession to throne became hereditary

30
Q

Constantine’s Accomplishments

A

1) founded new capital at Byzantium (later renamed Constantinople)
2) aided spread of Christianity - gave Rome Christian character in gov’t and culture
3) funds building of Roman Catholic churches throughout empire as repentance for killing bios wife
4) issued Edict of Milan 313 AD

31
Q

Romulus Augustulus - 474 AD – 476 AD

A

last official Roman emperor of West

476 AD - deposed by German commander Odavacer

sent reps to Cosntantinople to acknowledge his authority over Italy

much of western territories already were broken up into Germanic barbarian kingdoms

32
Q

Victory of Christianity

A

1) Edict of Milan - 313 - gave them full liberty of worship
2) Council of Nicaea - 325 - reaffirmed basic Catholic doctrines, brought internal peace to Church, Nicene Creed
3) Theodosisius officially made it state religion - 395 - harsh penalties on those who continued to worship pagan gods

33
Q

Influence of Christianity

A

1) worship of 1 true God
2) new code of Christian morality introduced in empire
3) human dignity and the importance of people as children of God
4) equality of all humans
5) idea of the sanctity of marriage
6) dignity of labor was stressed
7) many charitable and social institutions - schools hospitals, orphanages etc.

34
Q

Literature and Art - Early Golden Age of Latin Literature - 80 BC – 42 BC

A

Cicero - orations, essays - master of Latin prose

Caesar - commentaries, “The Gallic Wars” - simple interesting Latin style

Sallust - history, “The Conspiracy of Cataline” - historian with artistic style

35
Q

Literature and Art - Later Golden Age of Latin Literature - 42 BC - 17 AD - Augustan Age

A

Livy - “The Annals of the Roman people” - greatest prose writer of Augustan Age

Virgil - “Aeneid”, “Eclogues” - Rome’s greatest epic poet

Horace - “Mirror of the Augustan Age”, Odes, famous lyric poet

Ovid - “Metamorphoses”, Elegies - love poetry (elegiac poetry)

36
Q

Literature and Art - Silver Age of Latin Literature - 17 AD – 130 AD

A

Tacitus - “Germania”, “Agricola” - finest writer of Silver Age, historian, politician

Juvenal - Satire - satirized Roman vices pf the empire

Seneca - Essays, Tragedies - Stoic philosopher and dramatist

Pliny the Younger - Letters to Trajan - pictured life during Trajan’s reign

37
Q

Architectural Skill

A

1) built massive, practical buildings - first skyscrapers - 4-5 stories
2) aqueducts
3) triumphal arches to honor great conquerors - Constantine the Great and Titus
4) bath houses with hidden furnaces to heat the water
5) amphitheaters
6) Colosseum and Pantheon
7) roads

38
Q

Rome’s Contributions to Ancient Civilization

A

Political Unity - entire civilized world was unified under a single ruler

Legal Unity - provided a code of laws for the whole empire

Cultural Unity - Rome blended the best of Greek culture with her own and Latin became a universal language

Religious Unity - Christianity became a universal bond in the later empire

Economic Unity - a series of great linking roads, common coinage, common measures, weights, prosperous commerce

39
Q

Rome’s Contributions to Modern Civilization

A

Political - Roman gov’t is basis or many imperial and municipal gov’t which are still basic patterns for modern gov’ts

Law - foundation for legal systems in many countries

Culture - Greco-Roman culture basis of worldwide cultures today
a) Romance languages - French, Italian,
Spanish, Romanian, Portuguese
b) 50% of English rooted in Latin

Religion - Christianity os still basic element in western civilization

40
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - Internal Forces of Decay

A

Political - heavy taxation of farmers, governors became greedy and dishonest, lack of internal control, Senate had been abolished

Economic - debasement of currency, no gold/silver to back it, economic slavery of tenet farmers, beginnings of feudalism, trade/industry decline

Social - caste system developed with excessive poverty and wealth existed

41
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Huns

A

Huns - led by Attila - Asiatic Mongolian tribe that drove Germanic tribes into the empire - defeated at Chalons in 451 - empire gradually collapsed

42
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Visigoths

A

led by Alaric

378 - defeated Romans at Adrianople

410 - captured Rome and founded kingdom in southern France and Spain

43
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Vandals

A

led by Genseric

driven from Spain by Visigoths

founded empire in North Africa

455 - invaded and plundered Rome

eventually conquered by Eastern Roman Empire

44
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Ostrogoths

A

led by Theodoric

entered Eastern Roman Empire

invaded Italy and defeated Germanic tribes

founded brief but brilliant empire in Italy

45
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Franks

A

led by Clovis

450 - crossed Rhine and settled in northern Gaul

built strong kingdom

46
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Lombards

A

558 - invaded Italy

conquered all but a few possessions of Eastern Empire

conquered by Charlemagne at request of Pope

36 individual dukedos

47
Q

Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Angles-Saxons

A

400 - invaded and conquered Britain

Romans had already abandoned Britain

48
Q

Results of Fall

A

Greek language was forgotten in West

Latin declined as its correct usage was neglected

Education almost disappeared

Libraries and art treasuries were scattered or destroyed

Art and sciences were neglected

Knowledge of skilled handicrafts was gradually lost

Communication became difficult as roads fell into disrepair

Commerce and industry practically ceased to exist

Cities declined or were destroyed

History (2 decks)

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