Comparative Cultures 12 - Ancient Rome

When did the earliest human habitation of Rome begin?

Around 1000 BC

What was early Rome like?

A small agricultural community

How does Rome's legacy live on today?

Lives on in law, government, language, calendar

What Roman infrastructure is still in use today?

Roads and aqueducts still used today

How did Roman architecture influence later buildings?

Copied in modern government and academic institutions

What is special about the Pantheon?

Still in use today; emperors walked through as light shone on them

Which cultures influenced early Roman civilization?

The Etruscans and the Greeks

What happened to the Etruscans?

Conquered by the Greeks

What did Rome do with Greek culture?

Copied and later conquered it

What is the legend of Romulus and Remus?

Twin sons of Mars and Rhea; Uncle Annius threw them into Tiber; Rescued by a wolf, raised by a shepherd Romulus killed Remus and founded Rome

How did Romulus and Remus survive after being thrown into the Tiber River?

Rescued by a wolf and raised by a shepherd

Who were the Patricians in Roman society?

The aristocratic upper class

Who were the Plebeians?

Common men and citizens of Rome

What was the lowest social class in Rome?

Slaves

Describe Rome’s geographic advantages.

Center of Mediterranean; Separated from Europe by the Alps; Fertile due to volcanoes; Climate: mild and hospitable

Where was Rome founded?

Founded in the Tiber River Valley, 20km from sea

What skills did early Romans develop?

Sailing and trading

What is “Pora from Potus” likely referring to?

Possibly a mistranscription of ""Porta from Portus"" – meaning port or gate for trade"

What was Rome’s first system of government?

Monarchy

Who was the first king of Rome?

Romulus in 753 BC

When did the Roman Republic begin?

509 BC

What powers did Roman kings have?

Head of state; Head of government; Commander-in-chief Chief priest, legislator & judge

Why did the Republic replace the monarchy?

Due to dissatisfaction with kings

What was the main governing body in the Republic?

The Senate

Who was Rome’s main rival in the Punic Wars?

Carthage

What daring move did Hannibal make during the Punic Wars?

He crossed the Alps with his army

How did Rome defeat Carthage?

Using guerrilla warfare; destroyed Carthage in 146 BC

What was the Roman Empire's motto?

"""Cooperate with us or die"""

How large was the Roman Empire?

6.5 million square kilometers

What emperor split the Roman Empire into East and West?

Diocletian

What happened in 476 AD?

Fall of the Western Roman Empire to barbarian leader Odoacer

What was the Eastern Roman Empire called?

The Byzantine Empire

What was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?

Constantinople

When did the Byzantine Empire fall?

Conquered by Turks in 1453

What triggered civil war in 56 BC?

Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon after being ordered to disband his army

What happened to Julius Caesar?

Assassinated on March 15, Ides of March

What was the significance of “Et tu Brutus?”

used to express surprise and dismay at the treachery of a supposed friend

Who were Cleopatra and Antony?

Tried to take over Rome; both committed suicide

Who became Rome’s first emperor?

Octavian / Augustus

What was Augustus' title and role?

Caesar Augustus (semi-divine title), Pontifex Maximus (leader of Church)

What did Augustus improve in Rome?

Art, architecture, literature
Civil service, police, military, fire, postal service
First army pensions
“City of brick → city of marble”
250,000 miles of dirt roads

Who was Tiberius?

Adopted son of Augustus; reclusive and unpopular

What made Caligula infamous?

Cruel, incest, made horse a senator, murdered

What did Claudius achieve?

Built aqueducts; conquered Judaea and started Britain campaign

What is Nero known for?

Persecuted Christians
Public executions; assassinated

Blamed for Great Fire of 64 AD

What did Titus do?

Completed the Colosseum; helped Pompeii eruption victims

Who was Domitian?

Persecuted Christians and Jews; assassinated with his wife’s help

Who was Trajan?

Able emperor; expanded empire and built a large forum

What was Hadrian known for?

Admired Greece, Built Hadrian’s Wall (UK), Dealt with Jewish rebellions

What happened to Valerian?

Captured by Persian King Shapur V, Only emperor taken prisoner

What did Diocletian do to save the empire?

Divided it; addressed inflation and barbarian threats

What did Constantine do for Christianity?

311 AD: Edict of Tolerance, 313 AD: Edict of Milan → legalized Christianity, Founded Constantinople, Built Hagia Sophia (major church)

What kind of religion did Romans have?

Superstitious mix of Greek and Etruscan gods. Werewolves, magic, curses, astrology

What rituals did Romans practice?

Animal sacrifices; bull = good omen

What role did fathers play in Roman families?

Held judicial and property power (goes to oldest son)

What was expected of Roman children?

"Girls learned arts; boys learned public speaking

What was Roman education like?

Strict and disciplined

Describe Roman marriage customs.

Arranged, Avg. age 12–15, Large families encouraged, Males prefered

What rights did Roman women have?

Could own property and go out in public

Who were the Vestal Virgins?

6 noble girls who kept the sacred fire; took 30-year vow of chastity

What was the penalty for breaking the vow?

Buried alive. Allowed to marry after service.

Why was the Roman army so respected?

It symbolized Roman power and pride

What benefit did retired soldiers receive?

Pensions

What features did upper-class Roman homes have?

Courtyards, bedrooms, kitchens, running water

What were Roman insulae?

Tall buildings, cramped for poor

How did Romans dine?

Reclined on couches; ate with right hand; 3 courses

What foods were common in Rome?

Bread was a staple.

What were tunics and togas?

Tunics: Worn by all, belted at waist Simple cloth

Togas: For males, unbleached cloth Purple stripes = wealthy

What did Roman women wear?

Stolas (fine wool or silk)

What footwear did Romans use?

Sandals, slippers, army boots

What materials did Romans write with?

Papyrus, Ink from soot, cuttlefish, Quills

What language did Romans use?

Latin – used in Catholic Mass until 1962

What were popular Roman literary genres?

Comedy and tragedy

Name important Roman writers.

Cicero, Catullus, Plautus

What were Roman baths used for?

Social, saunas, steam

What was the Roman circus?

Arena for chariot races

What was naumachia?

Mock naval battles, deadly

Who were Roman gladiators?

Slaves or criminals who fought in arenas

What were requirements to join the Roman army?

Male, Age 18+, Roman citizen, Good character, reference letter

What was the structure of the Roman army?

Legion → Cohort → Century → Contubernium (8 men)

What tactics did Romans use in battle?

Testudo (turtle), wedge, square, reserves

What siege weapons did Rome use?

Onager (catapult) and Ballista (missile launcher)

Who built Roman roads?

Roman legions; could march ~21 miles per day

How is Christianity connected to Judaism and Islam?

All monotheistic; Christianity adds the New Testament; Islam sees Quran as continuation

Who was Jesus?

Born in Bethlehem (immaculate birth); Preached at 26; Arrested at 33 Crucified → revived after 3 days

Who spread Christianity early on?

Paul, James, Stephen, Peter. Began in Middle East. Spread across Roman territory

What did early Christians face?

Nero blamed them for fire (64 AD), Christians used fish symbol

When did Christianity become the Roman state religion?

389 AD

What is a saint?

A miracle worker or spiritual intermediary

How is Virgin Mary viewed in Catholicism vs Protestantism?

Catholics: divine
Protestants: mortal

Name some Protestant sects.

Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Calvinist, Methodist, Baptist

What are branches of Eastern Orthodoxy?

Greek, Russian, Ukrainian

What internal issues led to Rome’s fall?

Economic disparity (rich & poor divide, inflation, corruption), Territory too large, Barbarians

What role did Christianity play in Rome’s fall?

Eroded traditional Roman values

Who were external threats to Rome?

Barbarians - Huns, Visigoths, Vandals, Saxons, Franks

Who sacked Rome in 410 AD?

Visigoths under Alaric I

What marked the end of the Western Roman Empire?

In 476 AD, Romulus Augustulus deposed by Odoacer