Expansion and Fall of the Roman Republic and Empire

This collection of flashcards covers key vocabulary, historical figures, and significant dates related to the expansion of the Roman Republic, the career of Julius Caesar, the transition to an imperial system under Augustus, and the eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Mid-$2^{nd}$ century BC

The time by which the Roman Republic had defeated Carthage and Macedonia and dominated the Mediterranean Sea.

Gaius Julius Caesar

A Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the Roman Republic and eventually became 'dictator for life.'

$$60BC$$

The year Julius Caesar controlled Rome before being elected Consul the following year.

Gaul, Germania, and Britannia

Present-day France, Germany, and Britain, which were regions conquered by the Romans under Caesar's military leadership.

Veni, Vidi, Vici

A Latin phrase meaning 'I came, I saw, I conquered.'

Via Appia

A famous road built as part of Caesar's infrastructure reforms to improve the lives of common people.

$$49BC$$

The year the Senate persuaded Pompey to start a civil war to overthrow Julius Caesar.

Pompey

The individual the Senate persuaded to lead a civil war against Caesar in order to protect the Republic.

Dictator perpetuo

A title awarded to Julius Caesar meaning 'dictator in perpetuity,' or 'dictator for life.'

$$44BC$$

The year the senators killed Julius Caesar in the Senate house to prevent him from declaring himself emperor.

Octavian

The adopted son and successor of Julius Caesar who eventually became the first Roman emperor.

Antony

A general who ruled the Republic with Octavian before they quarreled, leading to a final civil war.

$$31BC$$

The year a civil war broke out between Octavian and Antony, resulting in Antony's defeat and suicide.

Augustus

A Latin word meaning 'majestic,' given as a title to Octavian by the Senate in $27BC$.

Imperial System

A period where the Roman emperor acted as an absolute ruler over all executive, military, and judicial powers.

Romanization

The process of introducing Roman law and urban construction to the provinces to spread Roman civilization.

Governors

Officials appointed by the emperor to rule provinces, collect taxes, and maintain regional stability.

Pax Romana

Meaning 'Roman Peace,' this was the golden age of stability and power for the Roman Empire from $27BC$ to $AD\,180$.

$$AD\,395$$

The year the Roman Empire was officially divided into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire.

Visigoths

The German tribe that destroyed the Western Roman Empire in $AD\,476$.