Test 1 Flashcards
What is the story of Romulus and Remus?
Numiter was the rightful king until his jealous brother, Amulius, pulled him off the throne. But Numiter had a daughter, Rhea Silvia, who if they were to have children, they would replace Amulius from the throne. Amulius couldn’t let this happen so he sent he to live in a temple to be a vestal virgin. Mars visited Rhea in her sleep and when she woke up, she was pregnant. Aurelius was very angry and ordered servants to drown her 2 boys, twins, in the Tiber River. The servants took pity on the boys and put them in a basket to float down the river. Mars protected them by sending a sacred she-wolf, woodpecker and fig tree. A royal Shepard came across the boys and took them home and he and his wife raised them some time later. They grew to be strong and clever, but also naughty and were caught stealing sheep from Numiter, who recognized Remus as his grandchild and took them both home, were they defeated Amulius. when they were 18, they decided to leave Alba Longa and create their own city. It was decided Romulus would build it since he saw 12 vultures and Remus saw 6. Remus made fun of Romulus when digging a ditch and Romulus accidentally killed him by throwing a spade in anger. Romulus finished building his city C. 753 BCE and he named it Rome.
What was the mixed government in Rome?
A mix of a monarchy, Aristocracy, oligarchy, and democracy.
Define consuls in Rome
Like kings. 2 powerful officials elected yearly.
Define the senate
Group who discussed things and advised Rome. 300 lifetime members. Included all citizens. Had power to agree on peace terms or declare war.
What is the assembly?
A thing at which people voted.
How does a mixed gvnt help a society stay strong for a long period of time?
Variety, represents everyone, satisfy most people, work is divided among many people.
What is democracy
A system of government by the whole pop. or by all eligible members of the state, typically through elected officials. (Assembly)
What is monarchy?
Rule through a single individual/monarch. (Consuls)
What is aristocracy and oligarchy
Form of government ruled by a few people or families. (Senate)
Why did Rome became a dictatorship
-gap between rich and poor grew
-many romans no longer wanted to obey the laws
-bitter veterans, they wanted a reward such as money or power for fighting Rome’s wars. Willing to follow ANYONE who promised them something.(unloyal)
-elected consul named Marius REFUSED to step down and became powerful military leader. Senate became afraid of the army and did not want to quarrel with Marius.
Eventually became a monarchy, ruled by Julius Caesar
Name of the main Roman river
Tiber River
Name of language in Rome
Latin
Religion at end of empire
Christianity
How were grapes and olives important?
Grapes: made wine
Olives: made olive oil for cooking, dressing and relishes
What happened in the colloseum
Gladiatorial and aquatic shows. Gladiators would fight each other, animals, or animals would fight animals. Sometimes innocent people would be thrown in to fight the beasts all for the thrill. Naval battles sometimes happened by flooding the colosseum. Most ended with no survivors.
What was Roman peace
Pax Romana. A 200 year period of peace in all of the Mediterranean brought about by Augustus. Brought prosperity and happiness to Rome. He was the first Emperor.
Monotheistic religions and examples in Rome
Christianity, Judaism.
Polytheistic religions in Rome
For a long time, rome has their very own religion and dieties that was polytheistic before being converted to Christianity after a long fight against it.
Roman Legacy: what did Rome contribute to today’s society?
Understood laws of physics and engineering: built aqueducts and incredible buildings that many buildings today are modelled after.
Language: many words from them used today in language and law. Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish all spoken in Rome
Roman law and government: influenced today’s laws and government, trial and error.
What are popular food in Ancient Rome?
Plums, quinces, pears, cabbage, olives, grapes, beans, beats, peas, radishes, chicken, pork, geese.
What are the 3 main meals called?
Jentacallum/breakfast, Cena/Lunch, vesperna/supper
What was the circus Maximus and what reasons explain how winning was everything?
It was a place where chariot horse races were held. Teams were named after the colour that the driver wore. Red, white, green, blue, purple, gold.
Winning was everything because:
-drivers would drug or sabotage other racers, even kill them
-Racers spent huge amounts of money on special training facilities to prepare
-drivers would pay large bribes to their rivals to leave the contest or fail purposely
Rome at its peak: where and when
Rome stretched from Britain to Northern Africa and also the Middle East to Portugal. This was in 171 CE
Name 7 different gods or goddesses and what the were the god/goddess of
Jupiter: king of the dieties
Neptune: god of the sea
Pluto: god of the underworld
Mars: god of war+agriculture
Apollo: god of sun and good health
Mercury: Jupiter’s messenger(god)
Vulcan: god of fire
Bacchus: god of wine
Juno: queen of dieties
Minerva: goddess of wisdom, arts, defensive war
Venus: goddess of love and beauty
Diana: goddess of hunt and moon
Ceres: goddess of corn
Vesta: goddess of the hearth
What change in religion did Rome go through in the 4th century CE(2)
Emperor Theodosius proclaimed Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Rome became the centre of Christianity in Western Europe.
Latin abbreviations and English translations: x3
vs: Versus: means against
A.D. Anno Domini: means in the year of our lord
PM: Post meridiem, means after noon
Who was the first emperor?
Caesar Augustus/Octiavian. Nephew of Julius Caesar.
What are the basic Roman numerals?
I V X L C D M
Explain plebeians
Ordinary citizens. Farmers, tradespeople. Had little power but some became very rice and powerful. Slowly acquired same rights and citizenship as patricians
Explain patricians
Wealthy citizens. Government and army officials. Citizenship granted to the male. Government and economic life of city.
Explain emperor.
Top of social organization
Many abused their powers
Explain slaves
Bottom of Roman society
Servants, shoemakers
No citizenship
No rights unless set free
Explain peregrines
Wealthy non-romans. Earned citizenship for taxation purposes
What was hadrians wall?
A wall built in britain to protect the chunk of Britain conquered by the romans from invaders and barbarians. Built under Emperor Hadrians orders
Who were the entruscans
Lived north of latins
Traders and pirates
Captured Latin city of Rome 600BCE
Made many contributions to romans, arch, soothsayers, gladiatorial games, alphabet, sewer systems, customs,
Latin people’s role:
First settlers.
Moved to central Italy from the north.
Overthrew Etruscans
What is a testrudo
a protective screen formed by a body of troops holding their shields above their heads in such a way that the shields overlap.
What is a soothsayer
A fortune teller.
Why were the twelve tables needed and give proof that law was important
To ensure law was applied equally to all citizens
People now are punished for wrong deeds, so they won’t be committed in fear of the punishment
People would run around and do whatever they want without law
What are 5 things that led to the fall of Rome and explain
- Slavery eroded economy by taking work away from plebeians. Plebians not working means not as many people can get money to pay taxes, weakening government and people
- Disruption of trade because of wars. Because goods could not be freely bought and sold, many necessary goods were unattainable
- Germanic military forces gained strength and attacked. These tribes managed to conquer Rome and physically end it in 476
- Empire became to large and border to long to defend. Causes enemies able to easily penetrate and break through borders to cause damage.
- Splitting into an east and west side. Fights between both sides, clash of ideas, large army could take down one half at a time.
Responsibilities of Roman citizens
Voting, paying taxes, entering military if government requires
