Unit 1 Study Guide: Roman Republic and Christianity

Vocabulary flashcards covering the governance, social classes, key figures, and religious developments of Ancient Rome as described in the Unit 1 Study Guide.

Legislative

Involved in the writing and passing of laws.

Consul

One of $2$ heads of the Roman Republic.

Aqueduct

A human-made channel that carries water.

Proconsul

A governor appointed by Augustus to oversee the regions.

Republic

A system of government in which citizens elect the leader.

Civic duty

The idea that citizens have a responsibility to help their country.

Reform

A political change that makes things better.

Plebeian

An ordinary citizen in ancient Rome.

Patrician

A member of the ruling class of ancient Rome or a wealthier citizen.

Pax Romana

Roman Peace.

Emperor Diocletian

The leader who divided the Roman Empire into West and East regions.

Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar

Leaders who used wealth and influence to control the Roman government.

Octavian (Augustus)

The leader nicknamed "the majestic one" who felt the republican government was too weak and became dictator for life.

Etruscans

A group that heavily influenced Rome and was ruled by nobles.

Heresy

A teaching that does not support the Christian faith.

Church Hierarchy

An organizational structure established because the number of Christians was increasing, modeled after the Roman Empire.

Eastern Orthodox Church

The church group that rejected the authority of the pope.

Land

The item every male was required to own in order to serve in the Roman army.

Roman Confederation

A system created by early Romans to govern Italy.

Tribunes

The group of people who took the issues of the plebeians to the Roman government.

Council of Plebs

A group created to give plebeians a voice in Roman government.

Dictator

An official appointed in the Roman Republic during war times, economic troubles, or invasions.

Early Church Women

Individuals whose role in the early Church was to care for the sick and needy.

Dioceses

Several churches grouped and managed together.

Augustine of Hippo

An important church father.

Pope

The title assumed by the bishop of Rome as he claimed power over other bishops.

Edict of Thessalonica

The decree that made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

The decree that made it legal to practice Christianity and other religions in the Roman Empire.

Zealots

A group that planned to rebel due to unfair treatment by the Roman government.

Theodosius

The emperor who banned Greek and Roman religions from the empire.

Fall of the Roman Empire

An event occurring in $476\text{ CE}$ after the emperor was forced to give up his crown.

Rule of law

The principle that the laws apply to everyone equally.

Punic Wars

A series of wars fought between Rome and Carthage.

Sicily

The island in the Mediterranean that the First Punic War was fought over.

Third Punic War

The specific conflict during which Rome destroyed Carthage.

German barbarians

The group that ruled the empire after Rome fell.