Roman Empire vocab

Republic

Power rests with citizens who have the right to vote

Patrician

Land owners who held most of the power

Plebeian

Common farmers, artisans, and merchants, who are most of the population

Tribune

Protected the rights of plebeians from unfair acts

Consul

Two officials that commanded the army and directed the government. They only worked for one year

Senate

300 members, both legislative and administrative, membership was for life

Dictator

A leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army, only lasted for six months and were chosen by the consuls, then elected by senate

Legion

Large military units

Hannibal

A brilliant military strategist and started the second Punic war

Scipio

A military leader who planned to attack Carthage and forced Hannibal to return to his city

Civil war

Conflict between groups within the same country

Julius Caesar

An ambitious leader who was brought to bring order to Rome

Triumvirate

A group of three rulers

Absolute ruler

One who has total power

Augustus

The unchallenged ruler of Rome (Octavian)

Pax Romana

Peace and prosperity of Rome

Gladiator

Professional fighters who fought to death in public contests

Jesus

A Roman and Jewish prospect, born in Bethlehem

Apostle

12 of Jesus’ disciples

Peter

One of the first apostles who spread Jesus‘s teachings

Paul

Another one of Jesus apostles who had a huge influence on Christianity’s development

Diaspora

When Jewish people were driven from their homeland into exile

Bishop

Supervised several local churches and was also a priest

Pope

The father and head of the Christian Church. Peter was the first one

Constantine

Roman emperor, who fought three rivals for his title. He ended Christian prosecution.

Heresy

Any belief that contradicted the basic teachings

Inflation

A drastic drop in the value of money often coupled with a rise in prices

Mercenary

Foreign soldiers who fought for money

Diocletian

A strong army leader who became emperor and restored order

Constantinople

City of Constantine

Alaric

The king of the Visigoths

Attila

A powerful chieftain