Chapter 5 The Essential World History Duiker Spielvogel 9th Edition

Romulus and Remus

Traditional story of how Rome began. Twins abandoned and rescued by a wolf, raised by a shepherd . Grew to build Rome. Romulus later killed Remus

Consuls

Two officials who were chosen annually to administer the government and lead the roman army into battle.

Praetors

In charge of Roman Civil Law, could lead armies and govern Rome when the consuls were away from the city.

Centuriate Assembly

Organized classes based on wealth, it was structured in such a way that the wealthiest citizens always had a majority. This assembly elected the chief magistrates and passed laws.

Patricians

descendants of the original senators appointed during the period of the kings and great landowners, who constituted the aristocratic governing class. Only they could be consuls, magistrates and senators.

Plebeians

constituted the considerably larger group of nonpatrician large landowners, less wealthy landholders, artisans, merchants and small farmers. They were citizens of Rome but did not have the same rights as the patricians.

Council of Plebs

assembly for the plebs only; came into being as a result of the struggle between the two social orders in Rome

Tribunes of the Plebs

Roman officials who were given the power to protect plebeians against arrest by patrician magistrates.

Latifundia

huge estates bought up by newly wealthy Roman citizens

Dictator

A ruler who has complete power over a country

Juilius Caesar

military commander who took full control of the Republic and became dictator

Octavian

Assumed the name Augustus Caesar, and became the first Roman emperor.

Praetorian Guard

A group of about 9000 men responsible for guarding the emperor of Rome created by Octavian Augustus

Pax Romana

Roman Peace

Good Emperors

this group of five emperors were especially active in constructing public works - aqueducts, bridges, roads, and harbor facilities - throughout the provinces and in Rome.

Paterfamilias

Roman male head of family