Roman History & Culture: Key Concepts and Figures

Importance of Rome's location

Rome is located on the Italian peninsula with access to the Mediterranean Sea, fertile land, and hills for defense, making trade, agriculture, and protection easier.

Etruscans

They lived in Itlay before the rise of Rome, mostly in the region called Etruria and they influenced Roman architecture, engineering, and religion.

Latins

Original settlers of Rome.

Greeks

Introduced culture, art, and colonies in southern Italy.

Lucretia

A Roman woman whose rape by a king's son led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Roman Republic.

Gravitas

Roman value meaning seriousness, discipline, and responsibility.

Plebeians

Common people of Rome who had limited political power at first.

Republic

A government in which citizens elect leaders to make decisions; Rome's government after the monarchy.

Struggle of the Orders

Conflict between patricians (nobles) and plebeians (commoners) over political rights.

Twelve Tables

Rome's first written code of laws, providing legal protection and fairness.

Republic setup and limitations

Executive: 2 consuls, limited to 1-year terms. Legislative: Senate (patricians) & assemblies (plebeians). Judicial: Praetors and courts. Checks prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Citizenship in Rome

Rome granted different levels of citizenship to conquered peoples, creating loyalty and cooperation.

The Roman Confederation

System allowing some conquered people full citizenship and others partial rights to help maintain control.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps to attack Rome in the Second Punic War.

Scipio

Roman general who defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.

Results of the Punic Wars

Rome gained control of the Mediterranean, Carthage was destroyed, and Rome became a major empire.

Latifundia

Large Roman estates using slave labor, which hurt small farmers.

Punic Wars impact on Republic

Wealthy elites gained land and power, poor farmers lost land, and social inequality increased.

Gracchi Brothers

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus; attempted land reforms to help the poor; killed by the Senate.

Marius

Roman general who recruited poor citizens into the army, increasing loyalty to generals over the state.

Sulla

General who became dictator, weakened the power of the assemblies, and strengthened the Senate.

Crassus

Part of the First Triumvirate; wealthy Roman general and politician.

Pompey

Member of the First Triumvirate; later fought Caesar in a civil war.

Julius Caesar

Roman general who became dictator, centralized power, and was assassinated in 44 BCE.

First Triumvirate

Political alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.

Second Triumvirate

Political alliance between Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus after Caesar's death.

Cleopatra

Egyptian queen who allied with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

Octavian/Augustus

First Roman emperor; started the Pax Romana and stabilized the empire.

Pax Romana

200 years of peace, prosperity, and cultural achievements under Roman rule.

The Good Emperors

Five emperors known for fair rule, expansion, and public works (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius).

Nero

Infamous emperor known for cruelty, persecution of Christians, and a fire in Rome.

Virgil

Roman poet who wrote the Aeneid, promoting Roman values and history.

Livy

Roman historian who wrote stories of Rome to teach moral lessons.

Significance of Roman Law

Established principles like equality under the law and legal rights for citizens.

Significance of aqueducts

Brought water to cities, improving sanitation and public health.

Bread & circuses

Government policy providing free food and entertainment to keep the poor content.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion; foundation for Christianity; practiced by Jews under Roman rule.

Sermon on the Mount

Key teachings of Jesus emphasizing love, forgiveness, and moral behavior.

Paul

Early Christian missionary who spread Christianity to non-Jews across the Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

313 CE decree by Constantine granting religious tolerance to Christians.

Diocletian

Roman emperor who divided the empire into East and West and attempted reforms to stabilize it.

Factors leading to the fall of Western Roman Empire

Political instability, economic problems, invasions by Germanic tribes, and weakening military.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire; capital: Constantinople; lasted ~1,000 years (330-1453 CE).

Patriarchs

Leading bishops in the Eastern Orthodox Church, below the emperor in authority.

Justinian's accomplishments

Rebuilt Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, expanded empire, and codified Roman law (Justinian Code).

Elements of Early Middle Ages culture

Christianity, feudalism, and manorialism.

Ordeals

Legal trials used to determine guilt by divine intervention (e.g., hot iron, water tests).

Purpose of missionaries

Spread Christianity and convert people in Europe.

Pope Gregory I

Strengthened the papacy and promoted missionary work.

The Franks

Germanic tribe that controlled much of modern France.

King Clovis

First king of the Franks to convert to Christianity; unified Frankish tribes.

Charles Martel

Frankish leader; defeated Muslim forces in 732, stopping their advance into Western Europe.

Charlemagne's accomplishments

Expanded the Frankish kingdom, crowned emperor, promoted education, arts, and Christianity.

Impact of Charlemagne on the Frankish kingdom

United much of Western Europe, strengthened central authority, promoted learning and culture.

Benedict's rules for monasticism

Rules of obedience, poverty, and chastity; balanced work, prayer, and study in monasteries.