Roman Vocab

Question 1

Etruscans

Answer 1

tribe that ruled Rome until the 6th century BCE. When their harsh king was defeated, Rome decided not to have a king and started a republic instead.

Question 2

Barbarian

Answer 2

The name the Romans gave to the tribes on the northern frountiers of their Empire

Question 3

Gladiator

Answer 3

A roman athlete, ususally a slave, criminal, or prisioner of war, who was forced to fight for the entertainment for the public

Question 4

Colosseum

Answer 4

A large stadium in ancient Rome where athletic events and gladiator matches took place.

Question 5

Forum

Answer 5

The city market and meeting place in the center of ancient Rome

Question 6

Patricians

Answer 6

Nobles who controlled all power, owned large estates, and were descended from the founders of the city (upper class)

Question 7

Plebeians

Answer 7

A common farmer, trader, or craftsman in ancient Rome. (Lower Class)

Question 8

Aqueducts

Answer 8

A high arched structure built to carry water over long distances

Question 9

Senate

Answer 9

The lawmaking body and most important political body in Rome. Made up of 300 patricians

Question 10

Tribunes

Answer 10

Elected leaders who represented the intrists, and protected the plebeians from unfair treatment

Question 11

Consuls

Answer 11

Executive Branch: Two elected leaders in charge of the senate and were responsible for carrying out orders of the senate or law passed

Question 12

Assembly

Answer 12

where the Plebeians and Patricians met to elect consuls, magistrates and tribunes.

Question 13

Twelve Tables

Answer 13

The earliest written collection of Roman laws, drawn up by patricians, becoming the foundations of Roman law.

Question 14

Veto

Answer 14

A vote that rejects a decision or proposal made by government. Latin for “I forbid”

Question 15

Republic

Answer 15

A form of governments in which citizens elect representatives to speak or act for them.

Question 16

Empire

Answer 16

A group of states under a single supreme authority (emperor)

Question 17

Dictator

Answer 17

A ruler who has absolute power

Question 18

Julius Caesar

Answer 18

Roman general who became the republic’s dictator

Question 19

Cleopatra

Answer 19

Ruler of the Egyptian government who backed Caesar in the civil war he waged

Question 20

Augustus

Answer 20

First Roman emperor who went on to unify the empire and establish the Pax Romania (200 years of peace). Julius Caesar’s adopted son (nephew)

Question 21

Legion

Answer 21

Largest division of the Roman military, made up of nearly 4,500 men

Question 22

Legionnaire

Answer 22

A roman foot soilder, backbone of the armies of both the republic and the Empire. They all had standardized equiptment.