Roman Civ Flashcards

Aeneas

Forefather of the Romans in Roman myth, a Trojan who fled after the fall of Troy to the Greeks.

Livy

A Roman historian, known for “ab urbe condita”, a History of Rome from it’s founding to 9BC.

Civitas

City-State, in Latin

Palatine Hill

The location on which Romulus formed the city of Rome.

Codex

Book

Romulus

The supposed “Founder” of Rome, son of the God of War Mars in Roman myth, killed brother Remus

Indo-European

A language, considered to be the ancestor of all Indian and European Language, although little is known about it.

Mare Nostrum

Mediterranean Sea

Anchisis

Aeneas’ Father

Roman Monarchy (Dates)

1000/753BC-509BC

Roman Republic (Dates)

509BC-27BC

Roman Empire (Dates)

27BC-476 AD

3 Issues with Roman Written Sources

1. Late into Roman history, early documents destroyed by the Gauls.

2. Biased; written by wealthy Roman aristocrats

3. Fragmented, little work survived

3 Writing Tools of Rome

1. Wax Tablets: A piece of wood with wax on it, few of these survived

2. Papyrus, cultivated in Egypt, and used in scrolls and codex

3. Parchment, made of animal skin, survived the most well.

Augustus

Known as Octavian, went against Julius Caesar’s assassins, defeated Marcus Antony in a civil war, and re-established a one man dictatorship in Rome, known as the principate (or empire).

Cursus Publicus

The system of quick communications in the Roman Empire, consisted of many roads and on-foot messengers, essential for the administration of the empire

Limites

The borders of the Roman Empire, found along the Danube/Rhine Rivers in Europe

Pax Augusta

The Augustinian Peace (Time Period)

Princeps

The title of the Emperor of Rome

Principate

Another name for the Roman Empire

Res Publica

Public Matter, in Latin

Republic

Coming from Res Publica, a commonwealth, or government of equal share

Scipio Africanus

The Roman general who led the Romans to victory against the Punics in Africa

Julius Caesar

Roman who attempted to establish a dictatorship in Rome who was ultimately assassinated by the Roman Senate, famously conquered Gaul (France) with his armies, and had an affair with Cleopatra.

Marcus Aurelius

Last of “The Good Emperors”, famous philosopher and stoic, wrote “Meditations”

Pietas

The core Roman virtue, representing a dutiful loyalty and respect to the Gods, Rome, and Family

Patricians

Elders/”Fathers” of the state, served in the community as advisors to the king, strict social class. (Pater being latin for Father)

Plebians

Any non-patrician family (Coming from Plebs, meaning multitude)

Nobiles

Nobles

Equites (Equestrians)

Wealthy men dedicated to business matters as opposed to public service

Eques

Any Wealthy man NOT seeking/in public office

Publicans

Men who held public contracts

Boni

“The good men”

Optimi

“The best men”

Honestiores

Members of the Senatorial and Equestrian Classes, as well as local officials and officers in the army (This was a LEGAL distinction)

Humiliores

Legal Distinction for any non-honestiore

Cliens

Client in the patronage system of Rome, asked the better educated/wealthier for advice and protection

Patronus

A wealthy/educated man, that provided advice/protection to Cliens in exchange for services