Western Civilization (Ancient Rome)

Peninsula

Rome on the Italian peninsula, in the middle of the Mediterranean. - Central location allowed Rome to dominate against the Mediterranean.

Apennine Mountains

Mountains that ran up and down the Italian peninsula. - Spine of Rome.

Tiber River

The river that runs through Rome, providing a vital waterway for trade and agriculture. - Gave Romans access to trade in the Mediterranean. Good fort defense in battle (Hoco).

Fertile Land

Land on the Italian peninsula well-suited for agriculture, crucial to sustaining the growing population of Rome. - Rome could grow a lot of food and could support a whole population.

Mediterranean Sea

The sea that Rome was surrounded by - Central highway for trade, a big factor in wars (Punic War) and the military.

Gravitas

Roman value that showed a person's maturity and duty to Rome. - This allowed Rome to survive for a thousand years because the people served Rome and not themselves.

Republic

Government where citizens elect leaders and have a say. - Gave Romans a say in their government, allowed them to elect a leader rather than being ruled by a king.

Horatius Code

Roman soldier who defended the bridge from the Etruscan army. - Defended the bridge going into Rome, giving the Roman army time to protect the city.

Patrician

Wealthy Romans who also controlled the Senate and held most political power. - They had most positions in government and this power caused conflicts with the plebeians.

Plebeian

Less wealthy Romans, the average person in society. Made up most of Rome’s population as farmers, merchants and soldiers. - Their fight led to the Tribunes and the Twelve Tables which gave the average person more rights.

Consuls

The 2 Leaders of the Roman Republic, highest people in the government. - Led Rome’s government and didn’t allow one person to have too much power

Council of the Plebs

Group of plebeians who voted on laws and decisions - This gave the common people in a say in Roman government

Tribune

A group in the government that protected the rights of the plebeians - Protected the rights of the plebeians by being able to reject unfair laws made.

Twelve Tables

Rome's first written set of laws that were public - Made Romans laws public so that citizens could help prevent people that were powerful to use the laws unfairly

Law of Nations

Set of laws that settled the disagreements between Rome and foreigners. - As Rome expanded, these laws made it easier to settle disagreements

Carthage

Powerful city in Africa that competed with Rome for land and trade - Rome’s biggest rival for control of the Mediterranean, this led to the Punic Wars.

Sicily

Large island in the Mediterranean. - After the first Punic War, it was Rome’s first overseas province, this gave Rome more control over Mediterranean trade.

Hannibal

Carthage leader who led the Carthage army through the Alps to attack the Romans - Rome’s biggest military threat by invading Italy and defeating Roman armies during the second Punic War.

Alps

Mountains at the front of the Italian peninsula. - Made for a treacherous journey to get to the peninsula and Rome.

Cannae

Battle where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 216 BC - One of if not the biggest roman loss, it destroyed a lot of their army and showed how big of a threat Carthage was.

Scipio Africanus

Romans general who defeated Hannibal in the Battle of Zama - Defeated Hannibal helping Rome win the second Punic War which helped them gain more control in the Mediterranean.

Importance of the senate in the decline

The senate was a group of powerful and wealthy leaders who controlled a lot of government decisions - The senate favored the wealthy citizens rather than the lower class citizens which created conflict.

Gracchi Brothers

Roman brothers who tried to give land to poor Romans through the government reforms. - Tried to help the poor Romans but due to their death, this increased political violence and showed how divided the republic was.

Marius and Sulla

Roman generals who fought for political and military power - They showed that military generals were becoming more powerful than the government and Rome.

Role of the Army

Generals after the Punic Wars will start recruiting armies and making them loyal to them and not to Rome - Rome began to lose loyal citizens and generals could use the armies to attack Rome. Marius - Sulla - Caesar

First Triumvirate

The group in Rome was made up of Crassus, Caesar, Pompey - They tried to take over the Roman republic and they did.

Crassus

Richest man in Rome, member of the First Triumvirate - Helped Caesar take over Rome.

Caesar

One of the members of the First Triumvirate. - He became the first king of Rome, also killed by the roman senators, Brutus. One the most influential people in the world.

Landless Poor (Proletariet)

Romans that owned no land and were not citizens due to having no land and struggled to make a living. - Increased Rome’s social problems and many farmers lost their land which made them poor. This created a lot of anger toward the government.

Pompey

A successful Roman general and member of the First Triumvirate who later became Caesar's enemy. - He fought Caesar in a civil war but was defeated. His defeat allowed Caesar to gain control of Rome

Rubicon

A river in Italy that Caesar crossed with his army, going against Roman law. - Crossing the River started a civil war between Caesar and Pompey, which helped bring an end to the Roman Republic.

Outcome of 1st Triumvirate

The alliance fell apart after Crassus died and Caesar and Pompey became enemies. - Caesar defeated Pompey and became dictator. His rise to power weakened the Republic and eventually led to his assassination.

Marc Antony

A Roman general who was a close supporter of Julius Caesar and a member of the Second Triumvirate. - He became allies with Cleopatra and fought Octavian for control of Rome. His defeat allowed Octavian to become Rome's sole ruler

Octavian

A Roman leader and member of the Second Triumvirate who later became known as Augustus. - He defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra, gaining full control of Rome. He strengthened the government, improved the army, and helped Rome enter a long period of peace and prosperity.

Lepidus

A Roman general and politician who was the third member of the Second Triumvirate. - He lost his political power to Octavian, leaving Octavian and Marc Antony to fight for control of Rome.

Cleopatra

The queen of Egypt who formed political alliances with Julius Caesar and later Marc Antony. - Her alliance with Antony led to conflict with Octavian. After their defeat, Egypt became part of the Roman Empire.

Outcome of the 2nd Triumvirate

The alliance broke apart as Octavian and Marc Antony fought for control of Rome. - Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium. He later became the first emperor, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.

Ethos, Logos, and Pathos

Three methods of persuasion: credibility, logic, and emotions. - Roman leaders and speakers used these methods to persuade citizens and senators, gain support, and influence political decisions.