S1- Rome Terms to Know

Question 1

Republic

Answer 1

A period in which Rome was relatively democratic, although only the patricians had a real say in government.

Question 2

Senate

Answer 2

A council of elected advisors that held their role for many years and provided stability.

Question 3

Slavery

Answer 3

Relied heavily on slaves, usually captured from war; served domestic roles, public positions, etc., and could be freed. Crucial to agriculture and other labor-intense jobs in Rome.

Question 4

Women’s roles

Answer 4

The oldest man in a household, the paterfamilia, was in charge of everyone and everything in a household. Women could only inherit a small portion of his property/belongings. Generally had domestic roles or looked after family properties.

Question 5

Pax Romana

Answer 5

A time of relative peace in Rome during the early empire. Emperors became hereditary, and the military became defensive (cus of those damn germans), soldiers from provinces. rome was super populated and cool, better sanitation/infrastructure, social services like games (“bread and circus”) were popular, trade prospered

Question 6

Emperors

Answer 6

Julius Caesar: once allied in the First Triumvirite w/ Pompey and Crassus, until one of them was killed and civil war happened, julie was victorious. He had many supporters and acted on his own authority, gave citizenship to ppl in conquered colonies, gave soldiers better pay/property, lots of good stuff, but senate didnt like it and they killed him
Augustus Caesar: Second Triumvirate - civil war happens (again!) after julie dies and he’s victorious. he creates the position of emperor, made more infrastructure… had such a following he developed a “cult of personality” . also promoted roman culture, such as writing (think the Aeneid)

Question 7

Expansion of the Empire

Answer 7

conquered italy, then kept going down to africa, a little ways east, tap danced in england, got defeated by germanic tribes/barbarians a few times. As they expanded, they developed infrastructure to make it easier for conquered people to live so they wouldn’t rebel.

Question 8

Culture (compared to Greeks)

Answer 8

lots of greek influence, especially w/ mythology and writing (illiad & aeneid, etc.). many romans enjoyed greek art, etc., and educated people usually spoke both greek and latin. bathing was also adapted from greek culture.

Question 9

Aqueducts

Answer 9

carried water places

Question 10

Judaism & the Messiah

Answer 10

jewish people had a real hard time after the republic fell and civil wars happened, and believed a messiah would come to end the struggles and save them i think

Question 11

Jesus - life, purpose, death

Answer 11

-left no writings, gained most of his following after death
-born in a very religious jewish family
-followers, “gospels”, documented his beliefs and varying interpretations; these diverse beliefs were all accepted
-preached of heaven in the afterlife, devotion to god, and kindness to others
-claimed to be a messiah; some did not believe him (jews), some did (christians)’
-pontius pilate, a roman guy, executed jesus bc was causing problems. allegedly he rose up from the grave then died again. paul of tarsus (a real g) did most the religion spreading for him

Question 12

The Bible

Answer 12

A religious text that documented the beliefs and teachings of Jesus through the word of his followers, such as the gospels.

Question 13

Polytheism

Answer 13

belief in many gods- in the case of the romans, a lot

Question 14

Barbarians

Answer 14

people that 1) weren’t roman 2) attacked rome 3) wore pants 4) didnt wear togas 5) spoke like “bar bar bar”

Question 15

Constantine

Answer 15

emperor who became christian and moved the capital to constantinople. at this time, rome had split into a sort of eastern vs. western empire, so he ruled from the east. made christianity go from discriminated against to state religion

Question 16

Splitting of the Empire/Great Schism

Answer 16

East and West Rome - Split was a result of Rome becoming too corrupt for one person to handle. Diocletian rose to power in 293 and split Rome into two halves: East Rome and West Rome. Constantine took control of Rome in the East, Byzantium (Constantinople) became the capital, while Diocletian took control of the West. In 476, Germanic Chieftain Odacer led the barbarian siege of Rome and ended the Roman Empire in the West.

Question 17

Consuls

Answer 17

During the republic, two consuls were elected yearly.

Question 18

Patricians & Plebians/Struggle of the Orders

Answer 18

Only patricians knew and created laws, so the legal system benefited them. This led to many uprisings from the plebians. The Twelve Tables were created, so the patricians wouldn’t have a legal monopoly anymore. Although relative equality was reached, the struggle continued for many years.