History Unit 7.1 Test Study Guide

Livy

Ancient Roman historian who wrote much about Roman history, such as the founding (Romulus and Remus).

Rhea Silvia

Romulus and Remus’ birth mother; daughter of the king of Alba Longa, who were turned into a vestal virgin by her uncle.

Romulus/Remus

 Twin boys; Romulus killed Remus and founded Rome

Tiber River

Rome was founded on the banks of the river. Also, where Romulus and Remus originally floated down.

Faustulus

 A shepherd who founded Romulus and Remus along the Tiber River.

Larentia

The wife of the shepherd who cared for Romulus and Remus. She was also nicknamed ‘she-wolf’ because she lived an unchaste lifestyle.

Roman Monarchy

7 kings of Rome. Romulus was the first king, while Superbus was the last.

Fall of Roman Monarchy

In 509 BC, King Superbus was expelled from Rome after his son, Sextus, assaulted Lucretia, which caused the aristocrats to rise up and overthrow him

Lucretia

Superbus’ son, Sextus, assaulted her. As a result, she killed herself, causing the overthrow of the monarchy.

Patricians/Plebeians

Patricians make up the senate (aristocrats); Plebeians were the majority and made up the assemblies (common people)

Senate

You had to be born into the position (aristocrat). They were under the consuls and were composed of a large group, so they had to come to an agreement on all matters. 

Senate Responsibilities

•  Controlled finances

  • Could refuse to give magistrates money

• Controlled foreign relations

• Passed laws

• Advised magistrates

Assemblies (Assembly of the Plebeians) Responsibilitys

• Elected magistrates

• Approved laws passed by the Senate

• Tried court cases

• Declared war

• Could refuse laws passed by the Senate

• Tribunes could veto magistrates’ actions

Magistrates (Consul, Tribune)

Two consuls are elected yearly, and therefore their term only lasts a year. Part of the monarchy. The consuls held the highest position of power in the Roman government (most powerful).

Magistrates (Consul, Tribune) Resposibilitys

• Commanded the army

• Presided over the senate and assemblies

• Represented Rome in foreign affairs and introduced ambassadors

• Can create edicts

Veto

To reject a proposed law

Etruscans

Rival of the Romans. Their territories were near each other, so they fought over resources such as the salt beds of the Tiber River. Also, several Roman kings were Etruscans; for example, Superbus, who was seen as a tyrannical ruler.

Wars to conquer the Italian Peninsula

They were in the center; they could get to any point very easily

Cloelia, Cocles, Mucius

Roman heros

Cloelia

Escaped the Etruscan camp with many other women hostages. She led them across the Tiber River through a barrage of enemy spears. When Lars Porsenna heard the news of their escape, he was at first angered, but later admired her courage and bravery. To not break the treaty, he asked for Cloelia to come back, and that he would give her back if she returned. When Cloelia came back, the loyalty to the treaty caused the Etruscan king to give her the gift of choosing to save half of the remaining hostages. After, an equestrian statue was created of Cloelia.

Cocles

He was a Roman soldier who was able to hold off the Etruscan army so that the rest of the Roman army could destroy the bridge. When the bridge fell, He threw himself into the Tiber River as enemy fire rained down on him. He miraculously survived and swam back to his friends. He was extremely honored, and a statue, land, and gifts were given to him.

Mucius

He was a young Roman noble disgraced by the Etruscans’ Besigngment of Rome not to put matters into his own hands. He went to the Etrscuan camp expecting that he would kill the king; however, he mistook him for his secretary and killed him instead. Afterwards, he was dragged in front of the royal tribunal and threatened by Lars Porsenna with the threat of fire. However, he puts his hand into the fire to show off his strength and how the king’s threats mean nothing to him. As a sign of respect, the king lets him go back to Rome.

• He was nicknamed Scaevole, which means left-handed; lefty

Roman Monarchy:

753-509 BCE

Roman Republic

509-31 BCE