Ancient Rome: Key Figures and Concepts (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key figures, terms, and concepts from the notes on Ancient Rome and the late Roman Empire.

Constantine

First Roman emperor to convert to Christianity; ended Christian persecution.

Constantinople

Capital of the Roman Empire; modern-day Istanbul.

Ptolemy

Roman astronomer, mathematician, and geographer who supported the geocentric model of the universe.

Diocletian

Roman emperor who divided the empire into eastern and western halves, weakening central authority.

Twelve Tables

Rome’s foundational written laws codified by the government leaders in 449BCE

Edict of Milan

Proclamation that ended Christian persecution and granted religious tolerance.

Plebeians

A class including farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders in ancient Rome.

Legion

A unit of the Roman army consisting of about 5,000 soldiers.

Imperialism

Domination of one country by another in political, economic, and cultural life.

Latifundia

Large estates purchased by newly wealthy Roman citizens.

Julius Caesar

Roman general who reformed the government, became dictator, and was assassinated.

Hugustus Caesar (Octavian)

First Roman emperor; began the Pax Romana.

Pax Romana

Two-hundred-year era of relative peace and stability in Rome initiated by hugustus.

Hadrian

Roman emperor regarded as one of the Five Good Emperors; codified Roman law.