CLCV 208 // ROMAN CIVILIZATION

Nuraghe

Bronze cylindrical towers built in Sardinia during the Nuragic Civilization (ca. 1800-200 BCE).

Villanovan Culture

The Iron Age culture that began in North and Central Italy around 1200-700 BCE.

Etruscans

Pre-Roman civilization in Northern Italy known for rich metal resources and belief in multiple gods.

Magna Graecia

Greek colonies established in Southern Italy and Sicily (750-550 BC) influencing local cultures.

Romulus and Remus

Legendary founders of Rome, with Romulus killing Remus to establish the city in 753 BC.

Roman Senate

Established by Romulus, initially with 100 members representing Rome's clans.

Tarquin the Proud

Last Etruscan King of Rome (533-509 BC) known for his tyranny and the construction of the Capitoline temple.

Conflict of the Orders

Struggle between Patricians and Plebeians for political power in the Roman Republic (500-287 BC).

Cursus Honorum

Political career ladder in ancient Rome, including positions like Consuls, Praetors, Aediles, and Quaestors.

Main Civic Buildings

Include three rostra, comitium, curia, basilicas

Main Religious Buildings

Encompass Temple of Concord, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, and Regia

Defending the New Republic

Involves fights for survival and influence between Rome and neighbors in Italy in the 5th century BC

Heroism of Gaius Mucius Scaevola

Known for his bravery during the Aequi trap of the Roman Army in 458 BC

Gallic Sack of Rome (390 BC)

Describes the capture, plunder, and burning of Rome by migrating Gauls

Characteristics of the Celts

Include being considered barbaric, fierce fighters, jewelry wearers, involved in Mediterranean trade, and having different religious practices

Characteristics of the Carthaginians

Notable for impressive naval skills, use of war elephants, sophisticated agriculture, speaking Punic, and having a republic similar to Rome

Mediterranean Cultural Shifts

Highlight the influence of diverse Mediterranean peoples on Roman civilization and the gradual spread of Roman citizenship

Characteristics of the Hellenistic Period

Involve the spread of Greek language, culture, and customs, the tradition of semi-divine kingship, and the foundation of new cities by kings

Characteristics of Panhellenic Identity

Include distinct architectural styles, shared religion and mythos, wine-drinking symposia, and literary and theatrical traditions

Roman Coinage

The creation of Roman copper, silver, and gold coins, with the denarius becoming the monetary standard across the Mediterranean, used for conveying cultural and political messages through imagery.

Greek Influence in Rome

The widespread popularity of Greek culture among wealthier Romans, including Greek architecture, literature, theater performances, and philosophy.

Tiberius Gracchus

A Roman tribune from 133 BC who proposed land redistribution laws, faced opposition from the Senate, and was eventually killed along with his followers, leading to a divide between the Optimates and Populares.

Roman Religion

Roman polytheistic beliefs, rituals, and practices, including the interpretation of Roman gods based on shared traits with Greek deities, and the importance of proper worship and cultus.

Roman Temple Architecture

Elements of Roman sanctuaries, the development of temples from Etruscan architecture, and the Corinthian column order being the most popular in Roman temple design.

Gaius Marius

A Roman general and consul known for his military innovations, such as raising armies of landless plebeians, introducing new fighting arrangements, and his victories against various enemies in the late 2nd century BC.

The Social War

A conflict from 90-88 BC involving dissatisfaction among Italian allies, the proposal of Italian citizenship, and the revolt of the Socii leading to the extension of Roman citizenship throughout Italy.

Roman Army Composition

The structure of the Roman army based on wealth classes, equipment determined by the Centuriate Assembly, and reforms introduced by figures like Gaius Gracchus and Marius to address issues in the army.

Legion

A military unit consisting of approximately 5,000 men, with 25 legions spread across the Roman Empire.

Centurion

Experienced enlisted soldiers who led a century within the Roman military structure.

Equestrian

Young men of the Roman social class who served as military tribunes for the cohorts.

Propraetor

A governor in charge of all legions in a province within the Roman military hierarchy.

Proconsul

A governor in charge of all legions in a province within the Roman military hierarchy.

Pilum

A type of javelin used by Roman soldiers as part of their standard equipment.

Gladius

A short sword carried by Roman legionaries.

Castra

Military camps that were mostly temporary but some became permanent, and a few evolved into cities.

Decimation

A disciplinary action in the Roman military where one in every ten soldiers in a unit was executed.

Spartacus

A prominent figure in Roman history known for leading a slave revolt against the Roman Republic in 73-71 BC.

Auspicy/Augury , haruspicy

Watching birds, looking at sheep livers to interpret the will of the gods

Seven Hills of Rome

Capitoline and Palatine (tallest), Caelian, Esquiline, Aventine, Viminial, Quirinial

Proof of ancient settlements on Capitoline and Palatine hills and what years

Post holes, timber frames, stick and mud walls, thatch roofs, 10th-8th century

Lapis Niger

dark pavement with altar in Roman forum as marker of Romulus’ end. Marker with mid-6th cent. BC inscription in old Latin, S Etruscan alphabet. Records law that dictates sacredness of spot

If his name was Tarquinius…

He was an etruscan king of Rome

Mos maiorum

“the way of the ancestors,” stick to tradition heavily

Res publica

all free patrician and plebeian men involved in the state (no women, slaves, or freedmen)

First Two Consuls

Lucius Junius Brutus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus

Senatus consulta

Senate advised consuls, helped formulate laws with resolutions

Conflict of the Orders

Patricians vs plebs in politics, 500-287 BC

Consuls

2 “Presidents” Proposed laws, convened Senate, commanders-in-chie

Praetors

6-8 State lawyers, Hearing the initial inquiry and briefing of cases and then hands it off to a judge, wrote case formulae, selected judges

Aediles

4 Maintained public spaces and order, arranged public games

Quaestors

6-20 state accountants, Marked acceptance into Senate

Censors

2 elected ever 5 years for 18 months

Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus

On Capitoline Hill, Dedicated to Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva) Begun under Tarquinius Superbus, became symbol of Roman Republic

Cinncinatus

The George Washington of Rome, fought off Aequi trap in 458

Gallic Sack of Rome

(390 BC) -> Migrating Gauls capture, plunder, burn Rome

Marcus Furius Camillus the avenger

Defensive Imperialism

Romans conquering other peoples to avoid the threat of them

Ager publicus

Public land gained from conquer

Latifundia

Big senatorial estates with much public land in them, undercutting citizen-soldiery

Tiberius Gracchus

Tribune in 133. From a renowned senatorial family. Proposes land redistribution law. Ends up getting murdered by the senate

Gaius Gracchus

Younger brother of Tiberius. Became Tribune in 123. Picked up where his brother left off with land redistribution and other progressive proposals. Killed by senate after losing reelection and occupying Arentine hill with armed followers.

Interpretatio

Roman gods linked to Greek ones based on shared powers, traits

Lares and Penates

Household gods, every house has small shrine for them

evocatio

Generals “called out” deities from enemy citie

For types of adding gods to Roman religion

interpretatio, evocatio, bringing them in to reverse misfortune, Deification

Pontifices/Pontifex maximus

5 by 1st Century BC, advised on proper procedure for offerings and prayers, enforced the calendar

Pietas

Place of religion to safeguard individual and the community = Roman polytheism and the state religion

Flaminies

15 by 1st Century BC, in charge of specific cults

Vestal Virginis

(6): highly respected, cared for eternal flame of Vesta

Augurs

15 by 1st century BC, watching and interpreting flight and eating patterns of bird

Haruspices

examined animal entrails for signs; Etruscan divination practice

Saturnalia

“Opposite day” Festival day with masters as slaves and vice versa

Roman Virtues

Pietas

Virtus

Pudicitia

Clementia

Imperium

Fides

Justitia

Gaius Marius

Fought off the three threats of late 2nd century. Raised army of landless plebs and was responsible for their payment. Hero, Innovator, tradition defier

Three threats of late 2nd century

Migration of Celts Cimbri, Teutones, and others into S Gaul in 113 BC and next few years. Repeated Roman military defeat (109, 107, 105 BC)

War in Numidia vs. King Jugurtha beg. 111 BC.

Slave Revolt in Sicily beg. 104 BC

The Social War

90-88 bc, Italian socii dissatisfied. Ends with Roman citizenship all throughout Italy.