Greece and Rome Unit Test

All there is to know about Greece, Rome, their rise, and their falls

Augustus

Became Rome's first emperor through political positions and subtle power consolidation

Imperial House

Established by Augustus to control the government, employing family members

Expanded Borders

Action by Augustus to enlarge Roman territories for better control and defense

Regular Census

Ordered by Augustus for stability, equality, and economic consistency, including tax refunds

Civil Service

Instituted by Augustus to pay government workers for efficient administration

Statue Propaganda

Used by Augustus to symbolize power, divine rule, military victories, and connection to gods

Marcus Aurelius

An emperor who left Rome better off after his reign

Emperor Nero

An emperor who left Rome worse off after his reign

Emperor Caligula

An emperor who left Rome worse off after his reign

Empire Split

Caused by overexpansion under Emperor Diocletian, leading to unmanageable land and population

Constantinople Capital

Moved due to defensibility, access to trade, resources, and connections to eastern and western nations

Julius Caesar

One of Rome's last influential consuls, controversial for his ambition and desire for kingship.

Consul

Elected official in ancient Rome; Caesar was selected as consul.

Dictator for Life

Title awarded to Caesar, indicating his immense power and control.

Rubicon

River crossed by Caesar, marking the start of a civil war against Rome.

Civil War

Conflict between Caesar and Pompey, leading to Caesar's victory and control of Rome.

Emperor

Title self-declared by Caesar before his assassination.

Assassination

Caesar's death by a group of Roman senators.

Pompey

Rival of Caesar who fled to Greece and was eventually defeated.

Egypt

Country where Pompey fled to and was killed.

Civil Wars

Conflicts that ensued after Caesar's rule, adding to his controversial legacy.

Execution

Method Caesar disliked, preferring to grant undeserved favors.

Boastful

Characteristic of Caesar, known for excessive self-praise.

Local Governments

Conquered lands maintained their own governance

Roman Leadership

Requirement for conquered territories to acknowledge Roman authority

Citizenship

Significant reward for serving Rome, aiding in expansion

Provincial Offices

Formal positions to oversee conquered territories

Infrastructure

Built to benefit Rome and the conquered lands

Standardized Currency

Implemented across provinces for economic cohesion

Policies and Rewards

Used to expand influence, including promises of citizenship

Military Aid

Conquered people aided in military campaigns and infrastructure

Trade Routes

Constructed to boost economy and facilitate commerce

Punic Wars

Series of wars between Rome and Carthage

First Punic War

Rome invades islands, gains Sicily, establishes first province

League of Italian Nations

Controlled by Rome after the First Punic War

Roman Fleets Redesign

Reorganized due to losses in the First Punic War

Second Punic War

Hannibal leads Carthage against Rome, ends at Zama

Battle of Zama

Where Hannibal surrendered to Rome

Roman Hegemony

Rome becomes the most powerful in the western Mediterranean

Trade Routes

Expanded for Rome after the Punic Wars

Population Increase

Rome's population grew due to the wars

Slave Economy

Expanded due to more slaves acquired during the wars

Economic Impact

Wars were costly, impacting Roman economy

Casualties

Significant loss of life during the wars

Global Intimidation

Other nations were intimidated by Rome's victories

Job Losses

Due to reliance on slave labor and overpopulation

Allies Gained

Rome gained allies like Sardinia, Corsica, and Hispania

Territorial Control

Rome gained control of Carthage and its territories

Resources Access

Rome gained access to new resources for trade

Roman Province

First one established after the First Punic War

Alps Crossing

Hannibal crossed with elephants in 18 days during the Second Punic War

Roman Republic

Established by noblemen to prevent one-man rule, inspired by Etruscan Republic and Plato's idealized republic.

Consuls

Replaced the king, had equal power, served 1-year terms, and had veto powers over each other.

Senate

Advised consuls, decision-making body in Rome, consuls needed their approval.

Patricians

Wealthy elites in Rome, one of the two main classes.

Plebeians

Common people in Rome, the other main class, more upward mobility compared to other places.

Citizenship

Not based on birthplace, determined by Roman law, granted rewards for following the law.

Twelve Tablets

First Roman law code, established rules, resolved conflicts, defined citizenship.

Civic Virtue

Habits benefiting the community, dedication to common welfare and good.

Census List

Proof of citizenship, included names of Roman citizens, first in the world.

Auxiliary Soldier

Granted citizenship by generals/emperors after 25 years of service.

Aeneas

The only Trojan hero to survive the destruction of Troy, founding Lannium and leading to the birth of Romulus and Remus.

Romulus and Remus

Children of the God Mars (or Ares) and Rhea Silvia, found on the shore of Palatine Hill, raised by a she-wolf.

Palatine Hill

Founding place of Rome's first leader, symbolizing asylum and homage to the city's founder, tied to Aeneas.

Faustulus

Shepherd who finds and raises Romulus and Remus after they were abandoned on Palatine Hill.

Romulus

Kills Remus and becomes the leader of Rome, offering asylum and abducting women from the Sabines.

Roman Republic

Established after six kings ruled Rome, signifying the transition to a republic governance system.

Greek Influence on Rome

Includes educational concepts, art, religion, trade, banking, administration, literature, and philosophy.

Greek Sculptures vs. Roman Sculptures

Greek sculptures idealized figures, while Roman sculptures depicted individuals realistically, showing age and wisdom.

Roman Society Beliefs

Belief that society was not tied to a specific region or place, allowing anyone to become Roman; a political concept.

Q: What was Greece composed of in ancient times?

A: Greece was a collection of individual city-states scattered throughout the Mediterranean, united by shared culture, religion, language, and customs.

Q: Describe the geography of ancient Greece.

A: The geography was rich and varied, including fertile soil, farmland, forests, mountains, rocky outcrops, and islands, which contributed to a variety of resources for trade and the independence of its city-states.

Q: What were the four defining periods of Greek history?

A: Early Period (2000-800 BCE), Early Classical Period (800-480 BCE), Classical Period (480-338 BCE), and Hellenistic Period (338-27 BCE).

Q: Who were the Minoans?

A: Proto-Greeks on the island of Crete, known for farming, shipbuilding, and carpentry, ruled by Priest Kings, and declined due to natural disasters and Mycenaean invasions.

Q: What did the Minoans contribute to later Greek culture?

A: Trade networks, maritime prowess, frescos and ceramics, polytheistic religion, and written script (Linear A) that influenced Greek alphabet.

Q: Who were the Mycenaeans?

A: A mainland proto-Greek civilization, known for hilltop fortresses, rich off olive oil trade, and a patriarchal society with complex trade routes.

Q: What contributions did the Mycenaeans make to Greek culture?

A: Their religion, written script (Linear B), city organization, and the concept of wanax governance which led to oligarchy and then democracy.

Q: Who were Agamemnon and Achilles?

A: Agamemnon was a Mycenaean king and leader in the Trojan War. Achilles was the bravest warrior in his army, known for killing Hector.

Q: What was the significance of the Trojan War to the Greeks?

A: It inspired Homer's epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey, reinforcing Greek values, humanism, heroism, and hubris, and influenced Greek literature and mythology.

Q: Who was Homer and what are his significant works?

A: Homer was an author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, significant for introducing rhetorical devices and Greek values, and shaping Greek literature and ideals.

Q: What did the Greeks mean by "barbarians"?

A: The term "barbarian" referred to non-Greek speaking people.

Q: What were the main Greek values?

A: Theoxeny (hospitality), Arete (excellence), Lack of Hubris (pride), and Kleos (glory through good deeds).

Q: Describe Hellenism.

A: A polytheistic religion with twelve Olympian gods and goddesses including Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hermes, and more.

Q: Describe the Persian Empire and its relationship with Greek city-states before the Persian Wars.

A: The Persian Empire was the largest and advanced under Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great, known for tolerance, centralized bureaucracy, and technological advancements. They had a strong alliance and mutual respect with Greek city-states, engaging in trade and cultural exchanges.

Q: Why were the Persian Wars a turning point for the Greeks?

A: They united Greece, demonstrated Greek military strength, led to the rise of Athens and democracy, and gave Greece control over Persian territories, enhancing their power and economy.

Q: What happened at the Battle of Thermopylae?

A: King Leonidas and 7000 Greeks, including 300 Spartans, defended the pass against Xerxes I's Persian army, resulting in a famous last stand and weakening the Persians.

Q: What was the significance of the Battle of Salamis?

A: It marked a turning point in the Persian Wars with the Athenian navy defeating the Persians, demonstrating Athenian strength and contributing to the rise of Athens and democracy.

Q: What were some key differences between Athens and Sparta?

A: Athens was democratic, valued education and cultural superiority, had a strong navy, and a class-based society. Sparta was militaristic, oligarchic, valued discipline and military prowess, had a strong army, and an egalitarian society.

Q: Define humanism and its influence on Classical Greek culture.

A: Humanism is the belief that man is the measure of all things, shaping Greek art, religion, and athletics by emphasizing human form, excellence, and rationality.

Q: What are five legacies of Classical Greece?

A: Education, Democracy, Literature, Medicine, and Architecture.

Q: How did Alexander the Great rise to power?

A: He inherited the throne from his father, Philip II, who united Greece, and Alexander quashed revolts and demonstrated military prowess and leadership.

Q: What is Alexander the Great best known for?

A: His vast conquests, cultural tolerance, and heroism, expanding Greece's territory and blending cultures, establishing new cities, and promoting prosperity.

Q: What is Hellenism?

A: The spread of Greek culture, philosophy, and ideas across the conquered lands, blending with local cultures to create a new, enriched civilization.

Q: What were some key achievements during the Hellenistic period?

A: Development of Alexandria as a trading and educational hub, new philosophical schools, advancements in science and technology, and significant architectural innovations.

Q: What contributed to the decline of ancient Greece?

A: The Peloponnesian War, death of Alexander the Great, Roman conquest, internal rivalries, lack of unity among city-states, and civil wars.

Peloponnesian War

Conflict weakening Athens and Sparta

Death of Alexander the Great

Event leading to the division of Greece

Roman Conquest

Subjugation of the Greek peninsula by Rome

Rival City-States

Independent states competing, hindering unity

Civil War

Conflict between wealthy and poor classes