Roman Republic Flashcards
When did the Roman Republic exist?
509 BC - 27 BC
Roman Republic
When was Julius Caesar assassinated?
44 BC
Julius Caesar assassinated
When did the Roman Empire (at least in the West) begin and end?
27 BC - 476 AD
Birth & Fall of the Roman Empire (at least in the West)
What was the period of Roman Peace known as?
27 BC - 180 AD
Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
When was Jerusalem destroyed by Titus?
70 AD
Jerusalem destroyed by Titus
What was Gaul in ancient times?
Ancient region of Europe (present-day France)
Gaul - ancient region of Europe (present-day France)
What did the term ‘Proletariat’ mean in Roman usage?
Described the lowest class who paid no taxes and served the state only by producing children (‘proles’)
Proletariat (Roman usage)
How did Roman Political Life transition chronologically?
From a republic, to a dictator, to an empire
Roman Political Life - Transitioned (Chronologically) from: a republic, to a dictator, to an empire
Where was Rome located geographically?
Central location, on the Tiber River, hills for protection
Rome - central location, on the Tiber River, hills for protection
Who ruled the family unit in the early Roman world?
Father (paterfamilias)
Father ruled the family unit (paterfamilias)
What was the role of the Patricians in Roman society?
Wealthy, controlled the Senate
Patricians - c. 10% of population, wealthy, controlled the Senate
What did the Plebeians represent in Roman society?
The people
Plebeians - c. 90% of the people
What was the Senate in Roman political life?
Council of nobles
Senate - Council of nobles
What was the Tribal Assembly’s role in Roman political life?
Representing plebeian concerns (plebeian rise)
The Tribal Assembly, representing plebeian concerns (plebeian rise)
What did Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV attempt to do?
Destroy Judaism
Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV attempted to destroy Judaism
What was celebrated by the feast of Dedication?
Restoration of Temple worship - Known as Hanukkah
Temple worship was restored - celebrated by the feast of Dedication - Known as Hanukkah
How was the Government divided?
Patricians (10%)
Plebeians (90%)
Senate
Tribal Assembly
Who had a magnificent navy in the Punic Wars?
Carthage had a magnificent navy
Example sentence: Carthage’s navy was a formidable force in the ancient Mediterranean.
2nd Punic War
What general was very successful?
What happens to that general?
Carthaginian General Hannibal was very successful
Rome’s Scipio beats Hannibal
Example sentence: Hannibal’s tactics during the 2nd Punic War were legendary.
Roman Republic - strife
Cooperation deteriorated & internal dissension tore Rome apart
Example sentence: The Roman Republic faced internal strife that weakened its governance.
Roman Republic - Large plantations
Large plantations (aka latifundia)
Example sentence: Latifundia were large agricultural estates in ancient Rome.
Roman Republic - Gracchi brothers
The Gracchi brothers attempted reform, but faced an uncompromising Senate
Example sentence: The Gracchi brothers’ reforms were met with resistance from the Roman Senate.
Roman Republic - Spartacus
Spartacus - a gladiator in Rome who led a slave revolt
Example sentence: Spartacus’ slave revolt challenged the authority of Rome.
Roman Civil Wars - Military changes
Gaius Marius restructured the army
Example sentence: Gaius Marius introduced significant military reforms during the Roman Civil Wars.
1st Roman Civil War - rivals & victory
Rivals Cornelius Sulla & Gaius Marius vied for military command,
ended in a complete victory for Sulla
Example sentence: Sulla emerged victorious in the 15th Roman Civil War.
Julius Caesar - Gaul conquest, how long did it take? what happened after?
Caesar gained control of legions in Gaul - after conquering Gaul (10 year effort) & invading Britain, he had fortune & loyal military followers
Example sentence: Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul solidified his military power.
Julius Caesar - what river did he cross? What does “crossing the …” mean?
Caesar crossed the Rubicon river
phrase ‘crossing the Rubicon’ = an irrevocable decision
Example sentence: Crossing the Rubicon marked a point of no return for Julius Caesar.
Julius Caesar - Impact
- responsible for the death /enslavement of over 1 million people
- met Cleopatra & took her back to Rome (had an illegitimate son)
- changed the calendar
Example sentence: Julius Caesar’s actions had far-reaching consequences for the Roman Empire.
Second Triumvirate - who was it made up from?
Mark Antony (Caesar’s lieutenant)
Octavian (Caesar’s grand-nephew)
Lepidus
Example sentence: The Second Triumvirate was a political alliance that aimed to stabilize Rome after Caesar’s assassination.
Second Triumvirate - Battle of Actium
Antony & Octavian settled their dispute in a naval battle near Actium
Example sentence: The Battle of Actium marked the end of the Second Triumvirate’s internal conflict.
Who attempted reform but faced an uncompromising Senate?
The Gracchi brothers
Who led a slave revolt?
The gladiator Spartacus
What happened after Caesar’s death?
The 2nd Triumvirate (Antony, Octavian & Lepidus)
Antony & Octavian settled their dispute in a naval battle near Actium
Emperor Claudius is associated with which Roman occupation?
Roman occupation of Britain
Example sentence: Emperor Claudius led the Roman conquest of Britain.
Who functioned as “first citizen” in the Roman Empire?
maintained near-total control of the army?
had legislation against adultery?
Octavian (aka: Augustus Caesar)
Example sentence: Octavian, also known as Augustus Caesar, held the title of “first citizen” in the Roman Empire.
What was the phrase used to describe the Roman peace?
“Pax Romana”
Example sentence: The “Pax Romana” was a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire.
Who split the Roman Empire into the Tetrarchy?
Emperor Diocletian
Example sentence: Emperor Diocletian implemented the Tetrarchy system of sharing power among four rulers in the Roman Empire.
What victory did Constantine achieve?
Victory at the Milvian Bridge
Example sentence: Constantine secured a significant victory at the Milvian Bridge, leading to his rise to power.
Who was declared as king of the Jews by Octavian and Antony?
Herod the Great
Example sentence: Octavian and Antony declared Herod the Great as the king of the Jews.
Which Roman Emperor moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium?
Constantine
Example sentence: Constantine relocated the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople.
What was Rome’s contributions to western civilization?
Military science
Romance languages
Architecture & engineering
Environment for Christianity’s birth & expansion
Example sentence: Rome’s legacy includes advancements in military science that influenced western civilization.
What is cited as one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire?
Technological innovation stagnated
Example sentence: The stagnation of technological innovation is considered one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.
What does the phrase “bread & circuses” mean?
Free food & entertainment
What is a tetrarchy?
A sharing power of four rulers
Edict of Milan
Gave religious freedom
Where did Constantine move the capital of the Roman Empire?
Byzantium
Constantine remained Pontifex Maximus, what is that?
Head of the pagan state religious cult
Who laid waste to Jerusalem? What happened?
Titus did
The temple was destroyed
Where did the Roman Empire fall?
Only in the west, the eastern half lived on
What explains Rome’s decline?
There isn’t a single explanation, there were multiple forces that operated concurrently (multiple causation)
Who did the barbarian tribes war against?
Sometimes against themselves, sometimes Rome
Who were the Germanic Heruli people?
Former Roman Mercenaries
Name the “barbarian” groups. How many are there?
There are 5
- visigoths
- vandals
- Huns ( Attila was ready to attack Rome but Pope Leo I “persuaded” him to turn away)
- franks (went on to dominate Europe)
