Ancient Rome Study Guide

Flashcards based on Ancient Rome lecture notes.

Traditional foundation of Rome.

753 BCE

Creation of the Roman Republic / Expulsion of the Kings.

509 BCE

Dictatorship of Julius Caesar.

48–44 BCE

Principate of Augustus (Start of Roman Empire).

27 BCE – 14 CE

Fall of Rome.

476 CE

Capital city of Ancient Rome.

Rome

Port city of Ancient Rome.

Ostia

Towns near Mount Vesuvius.

Pompeii, Stabiae, Herculaneum

Location of volcanic eruption (79 CE).

Bay of Naples

Sea to the east of Italy.

Adriatic Sea

Sea to the west of Italy.

Tyrrhenian Sea

Sea to the south of Italy.

Ionian Sea

Mountain range to the north of Italy.

Alps

River that flows through Rome.

Tiber River

Wealthy upper class, landowners, born into status in the Early Roman Republic.

Patricians

Common citizens in the Early Roman Republic, could vote but had less power.

Plebeians

Top politicians and elites in the Later Roman Republic.

Senatorial class

Wealthy businesspeople and landowners in the Later Roman Republic.

Equestrian class

Entrance hall in a Roman domus.

Atrium

Dining room in a Roman domus.

Triclinium

Office/study in a Roman domus.

Tablinum

Bedrooms in a Roman domus.

Cubiculum

Kitchen in a Roman domus.

Culina

Colonnaded garden in a Roman domus.

Peristylium

Garden room in a Roman domus.

Exedra

Side wings in a Roman domus.

Ala

Entry hall in a Roman domus.

Vestibulum

Shops in front of a Roman domus.

Taberna

Towns destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (79 CE).

Pompeii, Stabiae, Herculaneum

Eyewitness to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (died during eruption).

Pliny the Elder

Eyewitness to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (wrote letters describing it).

Pliny the Younger

Shop or workshop space, typically at the front of the house.

Taberna

Entrance hall or foyer where visitors would wait.

Vestibulum

Central courtyard with an opening in the roof (compluvium) to collect rainwater.

Atrium

Bedroom or private sleeping chamber.

Cubiculum

Side room or wing, often used for storage or as additional living space.

Ala

Study or office, typically used by the head of household for business.

Tablinum

Dining room where meals were served and guests entertained.

Triclinium

Kitchen area for food preparation.

Culina

Garden courtyard surrounded by columns, typically at the back of wealthier homes.

Peristylium

Semi-circular recess or alcove, often used as a sitting area or for conversation.

Exedra

First emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

Augustus

Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

Tiberius

Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

Caligula

Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

Claudius

Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.

Nero

Emperors who ruled briefly during the Year of Four Emperors.

Galba, Otho, Vitellius

Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty.

Vespasian

Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty.

Titus

Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty.

Domitian

Events during Titus's Reign

Siege of Jerusalem, Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Fire and plague in Rome,

Noble aristocratic class.

Patricians

Common citizens.

Plebeians

Elite political class.

Senatorial Class

Wealthy business class.

Equestrian Class