WHI.6 (2015) Rome Vocab

Roman Geography

- Centrally located in the Mediterranean Basin; on the "knee" of the Italian peninsula

- The Alps to the north and the Mediterranean Sea provided protection

Early Roman Religion

- Polytheistic

- Shared the god Apollo with the Greeks

Patricians

Powerful landowners who controlled Ancient Roman government and society

Plebeians

All non-land-owning, free men in Ancient Rome

Slaves

people who were captured as prisoners of war, born to enslaved parents, or failed to repay loans and debts; became important to Rome's agricultural production

Assemblies

involved in law making decisions and represented the common people

The Senate

made of patricians; gave advice to consuls and controlled finances

Consuls

highest elected officials; held power over all citizens

Roman Representative Democracy

a type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people; included assemblies, consuls, and the senate

Twelve Tables of Rome

written law code created to prevent patricians from abusing power; established "innocent until proven guilty"

carried water

Aqueducts

Roman temple to gods and goddesses

Pantheon

Punic Wars

- Rome v Carthage competed for trade/control of Mediterranean

- Hannibal, Carthaginian general crosses Alps with elephants to invade Rome

- Rome wins, Carthage destroyed, and expands trade and wealth for Rome

Reasons for the Decline of the Roman Republic

Inflation, Slavery, Unemployment, Civil War

Julius Caesar

- Part of the first triumvirate

- Declared himself "dictator for life"

- Assassinated by fellow senators in 44 B.C.E. on the ides of March

Augustus Caesar

- Defeats Marc Antony

- Becomes first emperor of Rome

- Helped Rome come into "Pax Romana" (age of Roman Peace)

Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

Time of economic prosperity in Rome that lasted 200 years

Economic Impact of Pax Romana

- Uniform system of money

- Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads

- Promoted prosperity and stability

Constantine

Emperor of the Roman Empire who moved the capital to Constantinople in Byzantium