Rome Flashcards
The Rape of the Sabine Women
- No Ladies, Big Problem:Romans didn’t have enough women.
Romulus asked neighbors for help, got a big fat no. - Sneaky Party Trick:Romulus threw a big festival, invited nearby cities.
During the fun, he kidnapped Sabine girls. - Smooth Talk and Loyalty:Romulus reassured the kidnapped Sabine gals.
Convinced them Rome was the place to be, promised nice treatment. - War Time Drama:Sabines, led by King Titus Tatius, prepped for a fight.
Rome got attacked, but Romulus won a victory against Caenina. - Invasion Chaos:Sabines invaded, pushed Romans to the center, looked like trouble.
- Heroic Gals to the Rescue:Sabine women jumped into the fight, told everyone to chill.
Convinced leaders to talk instead of fight. - Happy Ending, Bigger Rome:Romulus and Titus Tatius agreed to share power.
Rome got twice as big, everyone lived happily ever after.
Romulus’ Military Successes
1.Conquest of Lavinium:
Romulus expanded Rome by conquering Lavinium. Strengthened Rome's territory and influence.
- Triumph over Fidenae:Romulus successfully captured Fidenae, a rival city.
Demonstrated military prowess and strategic leadership.
Diagram: Romulus’ forces surrounding and capturing Fidenae.
- Victory at Veii:Romulus led Romans to victory against Veii.
Secured Rome’s dominance and territorial growth.
Summary:
Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, achieved significant military successes. He expanded Rome by conquering Lavinium, displayed strategic prowess in capturing Fidenae, and secured dominance over Veii. These victories laid the foundation for Rome’s early territorial and political growth.
Flashcard: Romulus’ Political Initiatives
- Senate Formation:Romulus established the Roman Senate.
Composed of influential citizens advising on governance.
Laid the groundwork for a stable political system. - Judiciary System:Introduced a system of judges to administer justice.
Enhanced legal structure for dispute resolution.
Promoted fairness and order within the growing community. - Citizenship and Asylum:Romulus extended citizenship to neighboring communities.
Offered asylum to those seeking refuge in Rome.
Fostered unity and integration, strengthening Rome’s social fabric.
Summary:
Romulus, in addition to his military feats, implemented key political initiatives. He established the Senate for governance, introduced a judiciary system for justice, and promoted inclusivity through citizenship and asylum policies. These initiatives contributed to the early development of Rome’s political and social institutions.
Numa’s Religious Initiatives
Numa Pompilius, Rome’s second king (715–673 BCE), instituted key religious reforms. He appointed priests, including the Pontifex Maximus, and encouraged public rituals. Numa constructed temples, introduced festivals, and organized the religious calendar. His integration of morality with law left a lasting impact, shaping Roman spirituality for generations.
Tullus Hostilius’ Initiatives
Tullus Hostilius, Rome’s third king, initiated significant reforms. He granted land to the homeless, expanded Rome through victories over Alba and the Sabines, and built the Curia Hostilia for the growing Senate. Notably, after the Horatii-Curiatii battle, he handled a murder case with public involvement. His focus on war during a plague led to criticism, contrasting with the peaceful era of Numa.
Cyrus the Great’s Priorities
Expansion-focused Evidence:
Military Campaigns: Cyrus undertook vast conquests, annexing numerous territories.
Empire Building: His governance primarily centered around expanding and organizing the Persian Empire.
Conquering Babylon: Cyrus’s famous conquest of Babylon exemplifies his imperial focus.
Tolerance for Conquered Peoples: Though benevolent, Cyrus aimed at consolidating power through diverse conquests.
Legacy of Empire: Cyrus’s epitaph emphasizes his achievements in building and extending the empire.
Multifaceted Concerns Evidence:
Pasargadae Construction: Cyrus established Pasargadae, showcasing architectural and cultural interests.
Cyrus Cylinder: A testament to religious tolerance, emphasizing respect for diverse faiths.
Respect for Local Customs: Cyrus allowed regional autonomy and respected local traditions.
Humanitarian Policies: Cyrus released captives and promoted inclusivity in his reign.
Death in Battle: Cyrus's death in a campaign suggests personal commitment beyond mere expansion.
Ancus, practise questions
What did Ancus tell Gaius Paprius to do regarding laws and religious rites?
Which hill did Ancus invite citizens living outside the city to live on?
How did Ancus contribute to the growth of religion during his reign?
What initiatives did Ancus take to strengthen Rome’s trade and law enforcement?
Describe Ancus’ diplomatic approach before declaring war.
How did Ancus expand during his reign, and how did he secure Rome?
Ancus’ Initatives.
- Publication of Laws and Religious Rites
Ancus instructed his pontiff, Gaius Paprius, to publish laws and religious rites on oak boards across the city. - Expansion of the Temple of Jupiter Ferentius
Ancus contributed to the religious sphere by expanding the Temple of Jupiter Ferentius. - Aventine Hill Settlement
Ancus invited citizens living outside the city to settle on the Aventine Hill, fostering social cohesion. - Latin Citizenship Invitation
Ancus welcomed Latins to become Roman citizens, with the construction of the Admurciae district for their settlement. - Construction of Ostia Port, Salt Works, and Prison
Ancus developed trade with the construction of the port of Ostia, salt works, and a prison for law enforcement. - Diplomacy Before War
Ancus sent envoys to seek justice before initiating war, with a tribal vote deciding the course of action.
Servus’ Reforms
Census and class system:
Under Servus’s, citizens had to report their social rank, household, property and income. Men above the age of 45 were expected to defend Rome and 17-45 were expected to be the main body of Rome’s army
Development of Equities:
According to Livy. the equites were created under Servius and were given a horse by the state, they would be the cavalary of the state. This was prestigious.
New Voting System:
After the Servian census, votes began to be cast according to wealth, this would create a gap between the rich and poor, where the rich voting would already decide the outcome of the vote. This make poorer citizens have less vote.
Tribal System:
Servius divided Rome into 4 regions, Suburana, Equinala, Coillina and Palatina, then introduced a new system to control the censusm, what tribe you belonged to decided where you lived. Voting now depended where someone lived.
Rome’s Republic
Plebeians:
Roman citizens, mainly farmers, paid taxes and served in the army
Patricians:
Roman citizens, descended from noble Roman families. Jobs include generals/adminstrators, could be elected for consuls
Senate:
Created by Romulus, came from powerful families, very powerful and controlled Rome. Were landowners
Consuls:
Two conusuls at a time, ran for one year only and couldnt run again for the following year. Both men/consuls had to agree before a decision was approved and gone through. One consul controlled half the army each.
Dictator:
One for 6 months in a state of emergency. Total power and replaced the Consuls. Could assemble armys, manage running the state to defend Rome and overcome an emergency.
Tarquin Conspiracy
Exiling Superbus failed to ensure the Republic’s safety as Brutus anticipated his retaliatory strike on Rome due to his enduring influence. Upon securing the army’s backing as consul, Brutus advocated for Collatinus’s resignation, recognizing the necessity of ousting the entire Tarquin lineage for the Republic’s prosperity. Publius Valerius Publicola assumed Collatinus’s position. Initially, the Senate favored returning Superbus’s assets, a stance opposed by Brutus. Meanwhile, Superbus’s kin rallied elite patricians into a plot against Brutus, uncovered by Valerius. Subsequently, Brutus executed the conspirators, including his sons, and the Senate sanctioned the seizure of Superbus’s land to safeguard the Republic’s integrity.
Battle of Silvia Arsia
Superbus’ followers try to assassinate Brutus but Valerius founds out and a battle is fought, with Brutus and Arrus doing a 1v1 but they are equally matched and both kill each other. The Romans and Superbus’ followers are equally matched and it is declared a draw, yet Silvia Arsia declares that Rome wins.
Battle against Lars Porsena/Clusium
Lars Porsena decides to fight Rome to reclaim Superbus as King, however as they invade, Cocles protects the bridge , the only way to get out and in of Rome and lets his teammates destroy the bridge whilst he fights them all. Afterwards he swims back to the other side and saves Rome, yet they are now under Siege.
Whilst under siege, Mucius grows sick of it and wants to help Rome, he asks the senate to see if he is allowed out to assassinate Lars Porsena, yet when he tries to kill Lars Porssena, he kills the secreteary instead,by mistake and acts insane and then scares and intimidates Lars to give up invading Rome and to retreat, with both empires agreeing to sign a peace treatie, where they have to trade hostages
Now Cloelia (dumbass what she did was so dumb i dont want to write thios she couldve easily fucked shit up for rome bc she has attention problems and wants to “act heroic”), was one of the hostages, and decided she wanted to risk the entire peace treatie, for a mere couple lives, and sneaks them out, thinking they wouldnt notice, like the dumbass she is and goes home thinking shes him. lars porcena obviously notices and is pissed (i would too like tf??? we were chill, we couldve fucked ur whole city up and we decide not to, then u pull this like tf??), but the generous, kind, nice guy he is, decides to let her go and some other hostages. and so rome is “saved” from her own mistake.
The Battle of Trebia
Hannibal woke his army up early and prepared, and sent his cavalry to lure the Romans over. The Romans followed them, with little to no preparation, and charging across the cold river of Trebia, they were demoralised, wet and cold, having to fight the Carthaginians. As the battle went on, Hannibal led the Romans over to a near ambush and won after surprising the Roman forces.
