Rome Flashcards
What was the Euboean Alphabet?
Used in Naples, where Greeks imported their alphabet
What was the Etruscan alphabet
These people adopted and used the Euboea alphabet in their own kind of way
What civilization was in the Northern part of Italy?
The Etruscans
What civilization in the Southern part of Italy?
Magna Graecia was colonized by Greeks and culture was brought there.
How was Magna Graecia’s polis’?
Their polis reflected Greek architecture of Greek culture and had many columns.
What government did Rome have?
They experimented with different forms of representational rule, establishing their own form of government.
What was the name of the government they created?
“Respublica” aka “republic” (mixed government)
How many elements did the government have?
Three elements
What were the three elements on Roman government
- Consuls
- Senators
- Citizen assembly
What was the settlement in Rome?
it was built on seven hills, compared to a greek polis
What was the original monarchy?
7 kings
Who wrote about the mixed government in Rome?
Polubius’ Roman constitution
What were the consuls?
It was the monarchy element of the greek government. the executive branch, consisted of two people. They were the head of the military, they are the commanders in chief, their duties are to meet with delegates and meet with assemblies.
What was Power of Imperium?
the power to command soldiers in the field and the power to sentence people to executions (life and death)
What were the senators?
It was the aristocracy element of the greek government. It was the legislative branch, “upper house.” they were in control of state finances holding power of taxation for public services; facilities and infrastructures. Also they serve as a court for treason/murder crimes. Crimes against the state
What were the citizen assembly?
It was the democracy element in the greek government. They serve as a court and a jury for all other crimes, provide military services and the power to vote
What were the tribunes?
They were created to protect the interests of the people. They are able to have unlimited veto. They were protected by the government, people aren’t allowed to kill tribunes or else they themselves would be killed.
Why did Polybius think mixed government was ideal?
Because of checks and balances, it prevented one form of government to overpower and they all keep each other in check.
What was the populares?
More “liberal” faction. Power should lay in the public and its representative bodies
What was the optimates?
More “conservative” faction. Power should lay in the senate and traditional offices
What happened with Pompey Magnus and Julius Caesar?
Caesar supported the populares and Magnus supported the optimates. They had disagreements, went to civil war with each other, Pompey dies and Caesar is victorious. Caesar becomes the strongest individual in the empire
How to become a dictator at this time?
During times of emergency the senate can vote to give one person unlimited power for six months
How did Caesar declare himself as dictator?
Caesar goes to Rome and forced the senate to make him a dictator.
How did Caesar die?
Caesar declared himself dictator, essentially made himself a monarch. Senators conspired to assassinate him each person in senate stabbed him 22 times.
Who is Octavian?
Octavian is the adopted son of Caesar. He got all of Caesars money and command of Caesar’s army.
Who was Antonius?
He was a general for Caesar.
What happened with Octavian and Antonius?
Antonius and Octavian go to war with each other. Octavian wins and becomes the sole greatest in the empire. Octavian has command of all soldiers and ruler of empire.
What happened with Octavian when he become sole ruler of the empire?
He gets consul and tribune to vote for him every year to give him power of imperium and tribune called “Princeps” i.e. first person.
Whats “Res Gestae Divi Augusti?”
Octavian claimed he restored government and the people chose him to rule through votes. He’s providing the illusion republic government is ruling with consent of people but his military is keeping him in office.
What was the “Aeneid?”
It was the greek version of the Iliad. Aeneas goes to the underworld to find out the future of himself and his future ancestors.
Whats priceps’ mean?
First citizen
What are the components that Rome has?
Temples, baths/gyms, libraries, acquaducts, roads that connect Rome to the rest of the empire, Amphitheatre (like Colosseum), circus Maximus, and theatres
What was euergetism?
Means civic benefaction. Wealthy individuals providing donations/contributions
What was the local government most responsible for?
Collecting taxes
Who are the people that are responsible for collecting taxes?
Curia
Who are tax farmers?
Citizens that go around and collect taxes from other citizens. It was a way to become wealthy.
