Unit 4: The Republic (509 BCE–31 BCE) - Terms Flashcards
Gaius Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE)
A Roman general and statesman, Caesar expanded Roman territory through the Gallic Wars (58–50 BCE) and played a crucial role in the fall of the Republic. After crossing the Rubicon in 49 BCE, he defeated Pompey in a civil war and became dictator for life. His assassination on the Ides of March (44 BCE) marked the Republic’s final crisis.
Cato the Elder (234–149 BCE)
A Roman statesman, orator, and historian, Cato was a staunch defender of traditional Roman values and a fierce opponent of Hellenization. He advocated for the destruction of Carthage, famously ending speeches with “Carthago delenda est.” He also served as consul (195 BCE) and censor (184 BCE), promoting austerity and discipline.
Equites (Knights)
A social class in Rome, originally the cavalry in the military, the equites became wealthy landowners, merchants, and tax collectors (publicani). They held significant economic influence but were often excluded from high political office, dominated by the senatorial class. Their role expanded during the Late Republic, particularly in financial and administrative positions.
The Gracchi (Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, 2nd century BCE)
Tiberius (d. 133 BCE) and Gaius Gracchus (d. 121 BCE) were tribunes who attempted land and social reforms to aid Rome’s poor. They sought to redistribute public land to landless citizens, leading to political conflict. Both were killed by the Senate’s supporters, marking the beginning of violent political struggles in the Republic.
Indemnity
A financial penalty imposed on a defeated state after a war. Rome frequently used indemnities to weaken rivals, such as Carthage after the Second Punic War (218–201 BCE), which had to pay a massive indemnity over 50 years. These payments often crippled economies and ensured Roman dominance.
Gaius Marius (157–86 BCE)
A Roman general and consul (elected seven times), Marius reformed the Roman army by recruiting landless citizens and granting them land after service. His rivalry with Sulla led to Rome’s first civil war. He seized power through violence in 87 BCE but died soon after.
Nobiles (Nobles)
A political class in the Republic, nobiles were families that had held consulships. They could be from both patrician and plebeian backgrounds but dominated political offices through prestige and alliances. The nobiles controlled the Senate and opposed reforms that threatened their power.
Patricians
The aristocratic class in early Rome, patricians claimed descent from Rome’s founding families. They monopolized high political and religious offices until the Conflict of the Orders (509–287 BCE) forced them to share power with plebeians. By the Late Republic, patricians and wealthy plebeians formed the ruling nobiles class.
Plebeians
The non-aristocratic majority of Rome’s population, plebeians ranged from poor laborers to wealthy merchants. Initially excluded from political power, they gained rights through the Conflict of the Orders, including access to high offices and laws protecting them from patrician abuse. The plebeians were represented by the tribunes of the plebs.
Prorogation
An extension of a magistrate’s command beyond their official term, often used for generals during military campaigns. This practice allowed for prolonged wars and increased individual power, contributing to the rise of ambitious leaders like Caesar and Pompey.
Proscription
A practice initiated by Sulla in 82 BCE, proscriptions were lists of enemies of the state who could be legally killed, with their property confiscated. It was a tool for eliminating political rivals, and later used by the Second Triumvirate (43 BCE). Thousands, including senators and equites, were executed or exiled.
Marcus Atilius Regulus (d. c. 250 BCE)
A Roman consul and general in the First Punic War (264–241 BCE), Regulus was captured by Carthage. According to legend, he was sent to Rome to negotiate peace but urged the Senate to refuse. He returned to Carthage, where he was allegedly tortured to death, symbolizing Roman honor and sacrifice.
Scipio Africanus (236–183 BCE)
A Roman general who defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama (202 BCE), ending the Second Punic War. He was a brilliant strategist and one of Rome’s greatest military leaders. Political rivalries forced him into retirement despite his victories.
Secessio (Secession of the Plebs)
A form of protest where plebeians withdrew from Rome, refusing to work or serve in the army. The first secessio in 494 BCE led to the creation of the tribunate of the plebs. These secessions were a key method for plebeians to gain political rights.
Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138–78 BCE)
A Roman general and dictator, Sulla seized power in 82 BCE after a brutal civil war against Marius. He introduced constitutional reforms to strengthen the Senate and limit tribunes. His dictatorship marked a shift toward personal rule, setting a precedent for later leaders like Caesar.
