Ancient rome

Latium

A plain in central Italy on which the city of Rome was built.

Etruscans

A people who inhabited early Italy that the Romans ultimately conquered. They had a significant cultural influence on Roman civilization, particularly in the areas of engineering and architecture.

Greeks (Rome)

Colonists in Southern Italy conquered by Rome. Had significant cultural impact on Rome

Romulus and Remus

Traditional story of how Rome began. Twins abandoned and rescued by a wolf, raised by a shepherd . Grew to build Rome. Romulus later killed Remus

Tiber River

a river flowing southward from north-central Italy across the Latium plain, and into the Tyrrhenian Sea

Appennine Mountains

Mountains that run down the middle of the Italian Peninsula

Alexandria

City in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great, center of commerce and Hellenistic civilization

Greco-Roman culture

Culture developed from the blending of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman cultures

Hannibal

Carthaginian military commander who, in the Second Punic War, attempted a surprise attack on Rome, crossing the Alps with a large group of soldiers, horses, and elephants.

Brutus and Cassius

Leaders of assassination plot against Julius Caesar

Octavian

Adopted grandnephew of Julius Caesar, later called Augustus Caesar

Pompey

Fought civil war with Caesar and lost

Gaul

An ancient region and Roman province that included most of present-day France

Patricians

From the start the roman society was split into two classes. The patricians who were considered to be the upper class could serve as priests, senators and magistrate.

Roman Senate

A council whose members were the heads of wealthy, landowning families. Originally an advisory body to the early kings, in the era of the Roman Republic the Senate effectively governed the Roman state and the growing empire. 300 Senators served for life

Consuls

Two officials from the patrician class were appointed each year of the Roman Republic to supervise the government and command the armies

Council of the Plebs

10 Roman officials elected annually, who come from Plebian class, protected pleb rights. They had special protection against attack from opponents. Could pass laws.

Twelve Tables

Completed in 449 BCE, these civil laws developed by the Roman Republic following demands by plebeians.

Sicily

An island in the Mediterranean Sea off the southwest tip of the Italian peninsula; the site of the First Punic War

Roman Contributions

Roman laws, justice system, court system; language(Latin); Pax Romana long period of peace that enabled free travel and trade Building Construction, engineering and road construction. architecture, literature, art, sculpture and the humanites.

Twelve Tables

Completed in 449 BCE, these civil laws developed by the Roman Republic following demands by plebeians.

Caesar crosses the Rubicon

January of 49, comes into Italy to fight Pompey; refuses disband his army

Roman Legion

a division of from 3000 to 6000 men (including cavalry) in the Roman army

Mark Antony

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

Cleopatra

Queen of Egypt; had relationships with both Caesar Mark Anthony

Octavian/Augustus

Caesar's adopted son who defeated Mark Anthony for title of ruler of Rome after Caesar's death

Hellentistic

"imitating the Greeks"

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

Urge the government to give back public land to the poor, both murdered by members of the senate

Dictator

A ruler who has complete power over a country

Triumvirate

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

First Triumvirate

60 BCE, unofficial coalition between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus

Julius Caesar

Made dictator for life in 45 BCE, after conquering Gaul, assassinated in 44 BCE by the Senate because they were afraid of his power

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180.

Latifundia

huge estates bought up by newly wealthy Roman citizens

Nero

Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)

Five Good Emperors

Five consecutive Roman emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) distinguished by their benevolence and moderation.

Virgil

Classical Roman poet, author of Aenied

Aeneid

An epic poem by Virgil chronicling the adventures of the Trojan prince Aeneas that portrayed the Roman ideals of duty, piety and faithfulness; Aeneas was the ancestor of Romulus

Aqueduct

A raised channel used to carry water from mountains into cities

Roman Architecture

Improved upon Greek forms - used arch, dome, vault, concrete

Roman Republic

The period from 507 to 31 B.C.E., during which Rome was largely governed by the aristocratic Roman Senate.

Roman Empire

Existed from 27 BCE to about 400 CE. Conquiered entire Mediterranean coast and most of Europe. Ruled by an emperor.

Julius Caesar's reforms

Granted citizenship to many people in the provinces, expanded the senate, created jobs,started colonies where people without land could own property, increased pay for soldiers, increased construction of public buildings

Plebeians

The plebeians were the commoners- farmers, laborers and artisans. All non-land-owning, free men in Ancient Rome.

Cincinnatus

A model dictator for the Romans. He organized an army, led the Romans to victory, attended victory celebrations, and returned to his farmland all within 16 days.

What were the three branches of the Roman Republic's government?

Consuls, praetors, and the Senate

Praetors

elected to help consuls, commanded armies in times of war and oversaw legal system in times of peace

Carthage

City located in present-day Tunisia, founded by Phoenicians ca. 800 B.C.E. It became a major commercial center and naval power in the western Mediterranean until defeated by the expanding Roman Republic in the third century B.C.E.

Who made up the Second Triumvirate?

Octavian, Marc Antony, Lepidus

What does Pax Romana mean?

Roman Peace

What were some of the achievements made by the Romans during the Pax Romana?

roads, aqueducts, number system, concrete, architecture, art

Who were the Julio-Claudian Emperors?

Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero

Why did the Roman Empire fall?

Political instability in attempting to transfer power to a new leader, economic and social problems with taxes that had a negative effect on Rome's economy, and weakening frontiers (invasions).

Constantine

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

Diocletian's reforms

Secured the frontiers, made people stay in the same job for life, froze prices.