Roman History - Exam 2

Bullion

Precious metals (like gold and silver) in bulk form, often used for trade or minting coins.

Praeda

Plunder or booty, referring to the spoils taken from conquered enemies.

Latifundium (pl. Latifundia)

Large estates or plantations, often worked by slaves, used for agriculture, particularly in the Roman Empire.

Ager Publicus

Public land owned by the Roman state, often used for military or agricultural purposes.

Licinio-Sextian Laws, 367 BCE

A series of reforms in Rome that aimed to address economic inequality, including land redistribution and limiting the amount of land one could hold.

Iuger (pl. Iugera)

A Roman unit of land measurement, roughly equivalent to 0.25 acres or about 0.1 hectares.

Marcus Octavius

A Roman politician and tribune who opposed the agrarian reforms of Tiberius Gracchus in the 2nd century BCE.

Mos Maiorum

The traditional Roman customs and values, literally 'the way of the ancestors,' guiding Roman society and politics.

Land Commission

A group established to oversee land distribution or reforms, particularly in relation to the redistribution of public land.

Attalos III

The last king of Pergamon, whose death in 133 BCE led to the bequest of his kingdom to Rome, becoming the Roman province of Asia.

Publius Popilius Laenas

A Roman consul and statesman known for his role in the diplomatic victory over Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire.

Equites (Equestrians)

A social class in ancient Rome, originally made up of cavalrymen, later becoming a wealthy and influential group involved in trade and finance.

Junonia

Refers to a town or temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Juno, often in a specific location like a colony or territory.

Lex Rubria

A Roman law passed in 49 BCE, granting citizenship to the people of Cisalpine Gaul, formalizing the integration of this region into Roman society.

Lucius Opimius

A Roman consul known for his role in the death of the reformist politician Gaius Gracchus, using force to suppress the Gracchan reforms.

Senatus Consultum Ultimum

The 'Final Decree of the Senate,' a special decree allowing consuls to take any necessary measures to preserve the state, often used during times of crisis.

Lex Agraria, 111 BCE

A Roman law concerning land distribution, particularly aimed at redistributing public land to veterans and the poor.

Socius (pl. Socii)

An ally, particularly referring to the states or peoples who were allies of Rome, often providing military support in exchange for certain privileges.

Oscan

A language spoken by the Oscan people in central and southern Italy before the Roman expansion.

Sabellic Languages

A group of languages spoken by ancient Italic peoples, including the Samnites, and related to Oscan.

Ennius

A Roman poet, considered the father of Roman poetry, who wrote the epic Annales, detailing Rome's history in Latin verse.

Provocatio (Appeal to the People Against Magistrate's Judgement)

A legal right in Roman law allowing a citizen to appeal a magistrate's decision to the people, effectively preventing unjust punishment by magistrates.

Fregellae

An ancient Latin town located in central Italy, destroyed by the Romans in 125 BCE after a failed rebellion.

Marcus Livius Drusus the Elder

A Roman politician and consul known for his opposition to the power of the populares and his efforts to curb their influence.

Marcus Livius Drusus the Younger

The son of Marcus Livius Drusus the Elder, a tribune in 91 BCE, who proposed controversial reforms to extend Roman citizenship to Italians, leading to the Social War.

Asculum

A city in southern Italy that was the site of two battles during the Social War, where the Romans fought the Italian allies seeking citizenship.

Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo

A Roman general and politician, father of Pompey the Great, known for his role in the Social War and his campaigns in Italy.

Italia

Referring to the Italian Peninsula, especially in the context of the Roman Republic and its later unification under Rome.

Corfinium

The capital of the Italic rebels during the Social War, renamed to Fornacalia after its defeat by Rome.

Italica

A Roman colony in Hispania, founded by Scipio Africanus in 206 BCE, it became an important city in the Roman Empire and the birthplace of emperors Trajan and Hadrian.

Obverse

The front face of a coin, typically featuring the head of a prominent figure like a god or emperor.

Reverse

The opposite side of a coin, often depicting a symbolic or commemorative image, like a battle scene or an event.

Coniuratio (Oath Taking)

A formal oath or conspiracy, often referring to a group taking an oath of allegiance or participating in secretive political activities.

Fetial Priest

A Roman priest responsible for performing rituals related to war, peace treaties, and the declaration of war.

Lex Plautia Papiria, 89 BCE

A law that granted Roman citizenship to Italian allies who had fought for Rome during the Social War, as long as they registered in Rome or other Latin colonies.

Lex Pompeia, 89 BCE

A law that extended Roman citizenship to the Italian allies who had not yet received it, following the Social War.

Gaius Marius

A Roman general and politician, famous for his military reforms, including allowing the capite censi (landless poor) to enlist in the army, and his role in the wars against Jugurtha and the Germanic tribes.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla

A Roman general and dictator known for his reforms, his march on Rome, and his role in the civil war with Marius. He established the precedent of a dictator's power.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

A Roman statesman, orator, and writer, renowned for his speeches and writings on law, philosophy, and politics, and for his role in the late Republic.

Quaestio (Pl. Quaestiones, Criminal Investigation/Trial)

A public inquiry or trial in ancient Rome, typically focused on investigating serious crimes like corruption, treason, or murder.

Optimates

A political faction in the late Roman Republic that represented the interests of the aristocratic elite, favoring the power of the Senate and traditional Roman values.

Populares

A political faction in the late Roman Republic that sought to gain the support of the people, often through reforms aimed at addressing social and economic issues, and challenging the authority of the Senate.

Publius Sulpicius Rufus

A Roman tribune who attempted major reforms, including land redistribution and granting citizenship to allies, leading to conflict with Sulla.

Lucius Cornelius Cinna

A Roman consul and leader of the populares faction, aligned with Marius against Sulla.

Battle at the Colline Gate

A 82 BCE battle where Sulla defeated the Marian forces, solidifying his control of Rome.

Marcus Licinius Crassus

A wealthy Roman general known for defeating Spartacus and forming the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Caesar.

Proscriptions

A series of politically motivated executions during times of Roman civil strife, notably by Sulla in 82 BCE.

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus the Elder

A Roman general who briefly aligned with Marius during the civil wars but was later defeated by Sulla.

Quintus Sertorius

A Roman general who led a rebellion in Spain against Rome in the 1st century BCE.

Spartacus

A gladiator who led a massive slave revolt against Rome, the Third Servile War, before being defeated.

Novus Homo (New Man)

A term for a Roman who was the first in his family to hold a political office.

Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus

The King of Pontus who fought Rome in the Mithridatic Wars.

Parthian Empire

An ancient empire located in modern Iran, often in conflict with Rome.

Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline)

A Roman senator who conspired to overthrow the Republic in 63 BCE but was defeated by Cicero.

First Triumvirate

An informal political alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 BCE.

Julia

The daughter of Julius Caesar, married to Pompey to strengthen the First Triumvirate.

Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Younger)

A Roman senator known for his staunch opposition to Caesar and his advocacy for the traditional Roman Republic.

Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio

A Roman general and opponent of Caesar during the civil wars, part of the senatorial faction.

Marcus Antonius

A Roman general and politician, loyal to Caesar, and a key figure in the Second Triumvirate.

Rubicon River

The river crossed by Caesar in 49 BCE, marking the start of his civil war against Pompey and the Senate.

Clementia (Mercy, Clemency)

A virtue promoted by Caesar, referring to forgiving opponents rather than punishing them.

Dictator perpetuo (Dictator for Life)

The title given to Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, granting him absolute power for life.

Lupercalia

An ancient Roman festival, held in February, associated with fertility and purification.

Gaius Cassius Longinus

A leading conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar, along with Brutus.

Marcus Junius Brutus

One of the key figures in the assassination of Julius Caesar, and believed to be Caesar's illegitimate son.

Ides of March

March 15th, the day Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE.

Pileus (Cap of Freedom)

A conical, felt cap worn by freed slaves as a symbol of their emancipation.

Parens Patriae (Parent of the Fatherland)

A title used for leaders who were considered protectors of the state, often associated with Augustus.

Triumphator

A Roman general who was granted a triumph after a major victory, celebrated in a grand procession.

Forum Iulium (Julian Forum)

A public space in Rome, built by Julius Caesar, which included a temple to Venus Genetrix.

Battle of Thapsus

A decisive battle in 46 BCE where Julius Caesar defeated the forces of Pompey's sons during the civil war.

Battle of Munda

The final battle of the civil war in 45 BCE, where Caesar defeated the forces of the sons of Pompey.

Utica

A city in North Africa, where Cato the Younger committed suicide after Caesar's victory.

Cleopatra VII Philopator

The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, famously allied with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony.

Caesarion

The son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, who was killed after Caesar's assassination.

Battle of Pharsalus

The decisive battle in 48 BCE where Caesar defeated Pompey, leading to Pompey's eventual death.

Acta (Acts)

Public records or official acts, often referring to legal decisions or decrees.

Gaius Octavius

Later known as Augustus, the first Roman emperor, who rose to power after Caesar's assassination.

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Octavian)

The first Roman emperor, later known as Augustus, who emerged victorious after the civil wars and became the ruler of Rome.

Sidus Iulium (Julian star/comet)

A comet that appeared in 44 BCE, which was interpreted as a sign of Julius Caesar's divinity after his assassination.

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (the Younger)

A Roman politician and general, member of the Second Triumvirate with Octavian and Antony, later marginalized in power.

Second Triumvirate

The political alliance formed in 43 BCE between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus to defeat their enemies and reorganize Rome.

Triumviri reipublicae constituendae (Board of Three for the Regulation of the Commonwealth)

The official name of the Second Triumvirate, with dictatorial powers to restore order in the Roman state.

Lex Titia

The law passed in 43 BCE that officially established the Second Triumvirate.

Divus (the deified, god)

A title used for deceased emperors who were officially deified and recognized as gods, including Julius Caesar after his death.

Divi Filius (son of the deified/god)

A title used by Augustus, meaning 'son of a god,' referring to his claimed descent from Julius Caesar, who was deified after his death.

Proscriptions

A series of politically motivated executions carried out by the triumvirs, particularly during the Second Triumvirate, targeting their enemies.

Perusine War, 41-40 BCE

A civil conflict between the forces of Octavian and the supporters of Mark Antony and his brother Lucius Antonius.

Lucius Antonius

The brother of Mark Antony, who opposed Octavian in the Perusine War and was later forced to surrender.

Fulvia

The wife of Mark Antony who played a significant role in the political and military conflicts during the late Republic, including the Perusine War.

Treaty of Brundisium, 40 BCE

An agreement between Octavian and Antony, dividing the Roman world between them, with Octavian ruling the West and Antony the East.

Treaty of Misenum, 39 BCE

A treaty between Octavian and Sextus Pompey, temporarily ending the conflict between them and securing Pompey's position in Sicily.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa

A close ally, general, and son-in-law of Octavian, instrumental in securing his power, notably in the Battle of Actium.

Treaty of Tarentum, 37 BCE

A treaty between Octavian and Antony that reaffirmed their alliance and split the Roman world, with Antony gaining control of the East.

Scribonia

The first wife of Augustus (Octavian), who bore him a daughter, Julia.

Octavia

The sister of Augustus, first married to Mark Antony and later his widow, playing a key diplomatic role in the power struggles of the time.

Battle of Naulochus, 36 BCE

A naval victory by Agrippa for Octavian against the forces of Sextus Pompey, which secured Roman control over the Mediterranean.

Artavasdes

The King of Armenia, an ally of Mark Antony, who was captured and executed by Octavian's forces.

Donations of Alexandria, 34 BCE

A political and ceremonial event in Alexandria, where Antony declared his children with Cleopatra as rulers of various Eastern territories, undermining Octavian.