Untitled Flashcard Set

Aeneas

Trojan exile; legendary founder of Rome through alliance with Latinus.

Romulus and Remus

Twin founders of Rome; their fratricide serves as a civic foundation.

Palatine Hill

Central hill of early Rome; the site of Romulus’ hut.

Seven Kings of Rome

Legendary monarchs who established institutions and rituals from 753–509 BCE.

Lucretia

Her rape and suicide led to the expulsion of kings from Rome.

Lucius Junius Brutus

First consul of Rome; expelled the Tarquins and executed his sons.

Res publica

Latin for 'the public thing,' it represents the civic order replacing monarchy.

Patricians and Plebeians

Hereditary aristocrats vs. commoners; their conflict shaped Roman politics.

Nexum

Debt bondage of plebeians; a major grievance in early Roman history.

First Secession of the Plebs

Plebian withdrawal to Sacred Mount led to the creation of tribunes.

Tribune of the Plebs

Sacrosanct magistrates with veto power created for plebeians.

Twelve Tables

The first written Roman law code established by the decemvirs.

Coriolanus

Exiled patrician who led Volsci; stopped by women during conflict.

Verginia & Appius Claudius

Her death sparked rebellion against tyrannical decemvirs.

Lex Canuleia

Law that allowed intermarriage between patricians and plebeians.

Lex Hortensia

Law that made plebiscites binding on all Romans.

Mos maiorum

Unwritten 'custom of the ancestors' that continued during the Republic.

Imperium

The supreme authority granted to command armies and magistracies.

Sacrosanctity

Legal inviolability granted to tribunes.

Marcus Furius Camillus

Conqueror of Veii; referred to as the 'Second Romulus'.

Sack of Rome by Gauls (Brennus)

Event in which Rome was captured and ransomed, leading to 'Vae victis!'

Latin War

Conflict resulting in Rome's dissolution of the Latin League.

Manlius Torquatus

Consul who executed his son for disobedience.

Decius Mus

Consul who devoted himself (devotio) in battle.

Pyrrhus of Epirus

Hellenistic king known for costly 'Pyrrhic victories' in Italy.

Fabricius Luscinus

Roman consul famous for refusing bribes from Pyrrhus.

First Punic War

Conflict between Rome and Carthage, resulting in Rome's gain of Sicily.

Corvus

Boarding device that enabled Roman naval victories in the First Punic War.

Hannibal Barca

Carthaginian general known for crossing the Alps and major victories.

Battle of Cannae

Rome’s catastrophic defeat suffered at the hands of Hannibal.

Quintus Fabius Maximus 'Cunctator'

Dictator known for employing a Fabian delaying strategy against Hannibal.

Scipio Africanus

General who defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, ending the Second Punic War.

Masinissa of Numidia

Cavalry leader who allied with Rome at the Battle of Zama.

Polybius

Greek historian who analyzed Rome’s constitution.

Mixed Constitution

Political system involving consuls, senate, and assemblies.

Anacyclosis

Polybius’ theory explaining the cycle of constitutions.

Censors

Magistrates responsible for census, morals, and revising the Senate.

Equites (Equestrian Order)

Wealthy class outside the Senate engaged in commerce and contracts.