ROME- LEGENDARY KINGS AND ORIGINS OF ROME (1) Flashcards
What is Romulus known for
Founding Father of Rome
What is Numa known for
Development of religion
What is Tullus known for
Reviving Rome’s military reputation
What is Ancus known for
Balancing military expansion with law and order
Who was Livy’s most influential source
Fabius Pictor, who created a timeline of Roman History by drawing together all of the available sources at the time
What was Livy influenced by
Stoicism
What is Stoicism?
An ancient Greek school of philosophy, which believed that virtue is based upon knowledge
What did Dionysus want to do as a way to record Roman history?
Copy the famous Greek historian, Herodotus, and create a great history
What is the Iliad?
A Greek poem describing the legendary war between Greece and the Trojans
Why was Aeneas added to the Roman foundation myth?
To link Rome’s foundation to the Trojan war, and connect it with another great military power
Which Greek author first mentioned Aeneas’ influence on Roman foundation?
Hellanicus
What role did Aeneas play in the conflict between Rome and Carthage?
His story helped illustrate why Rome and Carthage went to war
What settlement did Aeneas found after his marriage to Lavinia?
Lavinium
How is Aeneas connected to the future founding of Rome?
His son, Ascanius, founded Alba Longa, and Romulus, the founder of Rome, is said to be descended from the kings of Alba Longa.
Who are the parents of Romulus and Remus?
Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin, and Mars, god of war
Why did King Amulius imprison Rhea Sylvia, and order her twins to be drowned?
To prevent any challenged his control of Alba Longa after removing his brother Numitor from power
How are Romulus and Remus saved after being abandoned?
They were nursed by a she-wolf and later, found and raised by the shepherd Faustulus and his wife Larentia
Where does the myth of a ‘she-wolf’ originate?
Rumour has it that Larentia was known as ‘the wolf’ in the town, which may have been the reason for the myth to be put in place
What did Romulus and Remus do as young men?
They ambushed robbers, stole their loot, and distributed it to the poor
What happened when Remus was captured by robbers who brought him to Numitor
Numitor realised that his grandsons would have been the same age as Remus, and after Remus told him that he had a twin brother, he knew it was them. Together they plotted against Amulius and retook Alba Longa
What is an augury?
The Roman tradition of using birds to read the future, or seek divine support for a decision
What is a Vestal Virgin?
Celibate female priestesses who protected Rome’s sacred flame
What happened between Romulus and Remus?
They decided to hold and augury- 6 vultures landed at Remus’ feet, and as soon as this was about to be declared, 12 landed at Romulus’. The two sides argued, until a battle began. Remus was killed. Another story may suggest that, after Remus jumped over the city walls and mocked Romulus, Romulus murdered his brother, before declaring ‘this will be the fate of anyone who tries to o’erleap my battlements’
What have excavations at the Roman forum revealed?
That Rome is much older than 753 BC, and was probably founded in the 13th or 12th century bc
What is a ‘stele’?
An upright stone or wooden column bearing an inscription or design
What is a ‘comitium’?
The open-air space where Roman citizens would meet to discuss important matters
What day do Roman historians claim Rome was established?
21 April 753 BC
What do Roman historians claim Romulus created?
Asylum, Safety, Representation, The Senate, Democracy
What was the Senate
A council of Rome’s best men during the time of the kings; advised consuls from 509 BC, advised emperors from 27 BC
What is ‘rule by decree’?
Passing laws and judgements without listening to others or to previous laws- what the kings did
Who/what were lictors?
Roman bodyguards who protected the king or consul and carried fasces, which symbolised power
What are fasces?
Bound bundles of sticks or rods into which an axe is inserted or to which an axe is tied