Intro To AP World History - Rome

Etruscans

An ancient civilization in Italy that influenced Roman culture. Shaped Roman trading, metalworking, and engineering skills (building stone houses, public buildings, and temples). They ruled from 717-509 BC

6 Kings were "elected" from the ruling family, the Tarquins

Roman agriculture, temples, and reverence of the dead were all adapted from Etruscan culture

patricians

The aristocratic class in ancient Rome.

plebeians

The common farmers, artisans and merchants who made the majority of the population.

tribunes

Representatives that protected the rights of the plebeians from unfair acts of patrician officials.

consuls

Two officials who commanded the army and government shared power and the right to veto each other.

Senate

The aristocratic branch of Rome's legislative and administrative functions made of 300 members from the upper class.

Twelve Tables

A list of rules that formed Rome's legal code carved on twelve tablets that helped establish protection of the law.

Punic Wars

A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage.

Rome's growing commercial network in the Mediterranean brought it into conflict with the other great power of the region - the Carthaginians (descendants of the Phoenicians)

264-241 BC - #1, Rome takes over Italy

218-202 BC - #2, Hannibal's March, Scipio

149-146 BC - #3, destruction of Carthage

Pax Romana

"Roman Peace"

27 BCE—180 CE

A Latin term referring to the Empire in its glorified prime- time of peace & prosperity.

This era in Roman history lasted from the end of the Republican Civil Wars, beginning with the ascension of Augustus, until the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius-about 200 years.

Relative Peace

Social Stability

Economic Prosperity

Latin & Greek

Stable Government

Entertainment and Culture

gladiators

Fighters who engaged in combat for public entertainment in ancient Rome.

Diaspora

A failed revolt in A.D. 132 led to the Jews fleeing the Roman empire and finding home across the world.

Edict of Milan

A proclamation that permanently established religious toleration for Christianity in the Roman Empire. AD 312-313

natural laws

Universal moral principles that govern human conduct.

Roman Catholic Church

The largest Christian church, led by the Pope.

Hannibal

A Carthaginian general known for his strategic prowess during the Second Punic War.

Julius Caesar

A Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic.

Conquered Gaul (modern-day France) in 58-50 B.C.

Invaded Britain in 54 B.C.

Immensely popular in Rome with the plebeians

Fought and won a civil war with Pompey (49-48 B.C.) after Crassus died in battle in 53 B.C.

He then had himself declared "Dictator for Life" in 44 B.C. - sparked rebellion within the Senate

Had an affair with Cleopatra

Augustus Caesar

The first emperor of Rome, known for initiating the Pax Romana. 27 BC - AD 14,

A grateful and subservient Senate awarded Octavian the title of Augustus ("Exalted One") and imperator (emperor) by 27 B.C. - marking the end of the republic and the birth of the Roman Empire

Jesus Christ

Born in the time of Augustus Caesar in the Roman province of Judaea

Jewish carpenter and preacher

Preached a message of salvation, peace, and the coming of God's kingdom, as related in the Gospels (first four books of the New Testament)

Gathered twelve disciples (later known as apostles) who shared in his ministry

Crucified on "Good Friday"

Believed to be the son of God

Constantine the Great

Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)

Moved the capital to Constantinople

Jupiter

The king of the gods in Roman mythology.

Neptune

The Roman god of the sea.

Venus

The Roman goddess of love and beauty.

Centuriate Assembly

One of the three Roman assemblies in the Roman constitution on the military run by patricians.

Council of Plebs

Elected the tribunes and made laws for the common people and later, the republic.

Also known as the tribal assembly.

praetors

Later governors of overseas provinces were magistrates and judges or a judicial officer.

dictator

a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.

legion

Made up of 5,000 heavily armed foot soldiers (infantry) with a group of cavalry supporting each.

latifundia

huge estates bought up by newly wealthy Roman citizens

triumvirate

in ancient Rome, a group of three leaders sharing control of the government.

imperator

commander (a title conferred under the Republic on a victorious general and under the Empire on the emperor).

Messiah

the Son of God, foretold by prophets in the Old Testament

bread and circuses

public entertainment that roman elites used to keep the plebeians happy and distracted from problems in the empire

mosaics

motifs or images created by an arrangement of colored glass or stone

Forum

A Roman public meeting place, including markets and government.

Stoicism

the endurance of pain or hardship without a display of feelings and without complaint.

Colosseum

a large amphitheater built in Rome around AD 80; site of the contest and combats between people and animals

aqueducts

Bridge-like stone structures that carry water from the hills into Roman cities

Gospels

Four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings

Pompeii

Roman city near Naples, Italy, which was buried during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

martyrs

A Greek word that means "witness," referring to those who were put to death because of their religious beliefs.

epistles

letters found in the New Testament to the early Christian communities about God's Revelation in Jesus Christ

pope

the bishop of Rome, head of the Roman Catholic Church

barbarians

a person belonging to a tribe or group that is considered uncivilized, lead to the downfall of the Western Roman Empire.

frescoes

Paintings made on wet plaster walls

Paterfamilias

the head of the family or household in Roman law -always male- and the only member to have full legal rights. This person had absolute power over his family, which extended to life and death.

Pantheon

A group of gods; a group of people so accomplished in a skill or field that they seem like gods

apostles

12 men Jesus had chosen to help Him in his teaching

New Testament

The second part of the Christian Bible, containing descriptions of the life and teachings of Jesus and of his early followers

parables

Short stories that use everyday images to communicate religious messages. Used to spread Christianity to early Christians and others (gentiles).

Trinity

The truth that God, although one, is three Divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Roman Catholic Church

Church established in western Europe during the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages with its head being the bishop of Rome or pope.

Marius

opened army service to plebeians who would be paid for service

Fought with Sulla from 88-82 BC, causing horrific bloodshed (eventually lost)

Crassus

richest man in rome, and was part of the first Triumverate

Spartacus

A Roman gladiator who led the most serious slave revolt in Roman history from 73 to 71 B.C.E.).

Mark Antony

Caesar's right-hand man, teamed with Octavian to punish Caesar's murders, fell in love with Cleopatra, went into civil war, at Battle of Actium, he and Cleopatra fled and committed suicide

Cleopatra

last pharaoh of Egypt; had relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony; Octavian's enemy

Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus won fame as a consul who was appointed dictator twice (458 B.C. & 439 B.C.) to help Rome defeat both external and internal enemies; both times he immediately gave up his authority once the crisis was over and returned to his farm

His actions served as an ideal model for future Roman leaders

Virgil

Classical Roman poet, author of Aenied