Ancient Rome lessons 1-2

Aeneas

Legendary Roman hero; the Romans traced their history back to Aeneas. Aeneas was a Trojan hero who left Troy after the Trojan War, eventually settling in Italy.

Romulus and Remus

Legendary figures in Roman history; they were said to have built a city that eventually became Rome.

Republic

A political system in which people elect to govern them.

Dictator

A ruler who has almost absolute power.

Cincinnatus

Roman dictator; he was chosen by the Romans to defend their lands from attack. Later, he willingly gave up power and was considered an ideal leader by the Romans.

plebeians

the common people of ancient Rome

patricians

he nobility in Roman society

magistrates

an elected official in Rome

consuls

the two most powerful officials in Rome

Roman senate

a council of wealthy and powerful citizens who advised Rome’s leaders

A majority rule

a system in which the ideas and decisions supported by the most people are followed

veto

to reject or prohibit actions and laws of other government officials

Latin

he language of the Romans

checks and balances

a system that balances the distribution of power in a government

Forum

a Roman public meeting place

legion

a group of up to 6,000 Roman soldiers

punic wars

a series of wars between Rome and Carthage in the 200s and 100s BC

Hannibal

Carthaginian general; he was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world. Hannibal invaded Italy during the Second Punic War but was eventually defeated by Scipio at the Battle of Zama.